Which alfalfa variety performs best in Saudi Arabia?

TAIZTAR, Kohenoor's heat-tolerant Pakistani cultivar (fall dormancy 10), is bred for 45°C+ summers and performs strongly in the Riyadh–Al Kharj dairy belt, Qassim and Al-Ahsa. It sits in the same non-dormant class Saudi growers know from CUF-101, with very high salt tolerance for brackish well water.

How do you ship alfalfa seed from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia?

FOB Karachi with direct services to Jeddah Islamic Port (about 10–14 days) and King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (about 7–10 days via the Gulf). CFR/CIF quotes available. Packing: 25 kg PP-laminated bags, 50 kg jute, or 1 MT FIBC, Kohenoor brand or your private label.

Are your seeds dodder-free and certified?

Every lot ships with an ISTA orange certificate confirming ≥98% purity, ≥85% germination and 0% dodder (Cuscuta) — the number one cause of alfalfa seed rejections at port — plus a phytosanitary certificate issued per IPPC standards.

What is the minimum order and payment terms for Saudi buyers?

MOQ 5 MT (trial orders considered). Payment by irrevocable LC at sight through Saudi banks such as Al Rajhi, SNB or Riyad Bank, or 30% TT advance with 70% against shipping documents.

How fast can Kohenoor quote and ship to Saudi Arabia?

Quotes within 24 hours with an Arabic-speaking export desk. Lead time is typically 25–35 days from purchase order to vessel sailing from Karachi.

Alfalfa Seeds for Saudi Arabia — Bulk Import from Pakistan

Q: Can alfalfa seeds be imported into Saudi Arabia?

Yes. While Saudi Arabia restricts large-scale green-fodder cultivation to conserve groundwater, certified alfalfa seed imports under HS code 120921 remain permitted for licensed farms, research programs and regional re-export. Shipments require a phytosanitary certificate, ISTA quality certificate and standard import documentation cleared through Saudi customs.

Quick answer: Saudi Arabia remains one of the world's largest alfalfa-importing markets. Although large-scale green-fodder cultivation is restricted to conserve groundwater, certified alfalfa seed imports under HS 120921 are permitted for licensed farms, hydroponic and research programs, and GCC re-export. Kohenoor International ships dodder-free, ISTA-certified TAIZTAR (heat-tolerant, FD 10) and KN92 seed from Karachi to Jeddah Islamic Port (10–14 days) and King Abdulaziz Port Dammam (7–10 days), MOQ 5 MT, with phytosanitary and ISTA orange certificates on every lot.

Why Saudi Arabia Buys Imported Alfalfa Seed لماذا تستورد السعودية بذور البرسيم الحجازي

Since the Kingdom phased out large-scale domestic green-fodder production to protect its aquifers, Saudi Arabia's dairy and livestock sector — home to some of the largest integrated dairy companies in the world around Al Kharj and Riyadh — has depended on imported forage and on licensed, water-efficient local production that still requires high-quality certified seed. Demand concentrates in three channels: licensed farms with approved wells and modern pivots, greenhouse and hydroponic fodder units, and seed distributors supplying smallholders in Qassim, Al-Ahsa and Jazan.

That structure rewards exactly what a specialist exporter provides: clean, certified, heat-adapted genetics with paperwork that clears customs the first time. This is Kohenoor's lane — we have exported forage seed into the Gulf since the 1970s.

Dodder-free alfalfa seeds close-up - ISTA-tested 98% purity, Kohenoor International — Cleaned, dodder-free alfalfa seed - purity 98%+, germination 85%+

Kohenoor alfalfa seed export bags - 25kg, 50kg and 1MT FIBC packing for Saudi Arabia — Export packing - 25kg, 50kg and 1 MT FIBC, Kohenoor brand or private label

Container loading of alfalfa seed at Karachi Port for shipment to Jeddah and Dammam — FOB Karachi loading - direct to Jeddah and Dammam

Mature alfalfa plant grown from Kohenoor TAIZTAR heat-tolerant seed — TAIZTAR - heat-tolerant crop for 45C+ Gulf conditions

Recommended Varieties for Saudi Conditions الأصناف الموصى بها للظروف السعودية

Variety / الصنف	Fall Dormancy	Heat Tolerance	Salt Tolerance	Best For
TAIZTAR	FD 10 (non-dormant)	Extreme — bred for 45°C+	Very High	Riyadh–Al Kharj dairy belt, Qassim, Al-Ahsa oasis
KN92	FD 9	High	High	Tabuk & northern projects with cooler winters
CUF-101 class	FD 9–10	High	High	Growers standardized on non-dormant US genetics

Dodder-free proof: Kohenoor alfalfa seed lots tested 0% Cuscuta - the #1 cause of Gulf port rejections

All lots: ≥98% purity, ≥85% germination, 0% dodder (Cuscuta) — ISTA tested and certified. Sowing window in central Saudi Arabia: October–November, when soil temperatures fall below 30°C; seeding rate 25–30 kg/ha under pivots, up to 40 kg/ha broadcast in oasis plots.

Shipping: Karachi to Jeddah & Dammam الشحن من كراتشي إلى جدة والدمام

Jeddah Islamic PortDirect services from Karachi, ~10–14 days. Best for Makkah region, Jeddah distributors and western dairy operations.

King Abdulaziz Port, DammamVia the Gulf, ~7–10 days. Best for Riyadh–Al Kharj (by road/rail), Qassim and Al-Ahsa (Hofuf).

Riyadh Dry PortContainers can move inland by SAR rail from Dammam for door delivery in the central region.

Packing25 kg PP-laminated bags · 50 kg jute · 1 MT FIBC. Kohenoor brand or your private label with Arabic labeling.

Documents & Compliance المستندات والامتثال

Document	Detail
HS Code	1209.21 — lucerne (alfalfa) seed, of a kind used for sowing
ISTA Orange Certificate	Purity ≥98%, germination ≥85%, 0% dodder — issued per lot
Phytosanitary Certificate	Pakistan DPP, per IPPC — meets MEWA plant-quarantine requirements
Certificate of Origin	Chamber-attested; legalization arranged where the importer requires it
Commercial set	Invoice, packing list, B/L; fumigation certificate where required
Import side	Importer's commercial registration + agricultural import permit where applicable (our desk guides first-time importers through the current MEWA/customs steps)

Payment: Irrevocable LC at sight via Saudi banks (Al Rajhi, SNB, Riyad Bank) or 30% TT advance / 70% against documents. Lead time: 25–35 days PO to vessel. MOQ: 5 MT.

Arabic RFQ Template نموذج طلب عرض سعر

Copy, complete and send by WhatsApp or email — quotes within 24 hours, in English or Arabic:

السادة كوهينور انترناشونال المحترمين،
نرغب في الحصول على عرض سعر لبذور البرسيم الحجازي (خالية من الحامول):
- الصنف المطلوب: TAIZTAR / KN92
- الكمية: ____ طن متري
- ميناء الوصول: جدة / الدمام
- شروط التسليم: FOB / CFR / CIF
- التعبئة: 25 كجم / 50 كجم / 1 طن
اسم الشركة: ____ · السجل التجاري: ____ · واتساب: ____

أرسل عبر واتساب

Saudi Importer FAQ الأسئلة الشائعة

Can alfalfa seeds be imported into Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Cultivation restrictions target water-intensive green fodder at scale; certified seed imports under HS 120921 remain permitted for licensed farms, hydroponic units, research and re-export, with phytosanitary and quality certificates.

Which variety should I choose?

TAIZTAR for the central and eastern heat (Al Kharj, Qassim, Al-Ahsa); KN92 for Tabuk and northern winters. Both are dodder-free and ISTA certified. Ask our desk for a region-specific recommendation.

How long does shipping take?

Karachi → Dammam ~7–10 days; Karachi → Jeddah ~10–14 days. Add 25–35 days production lead time from PO to sailing.

Do you guarantee dodder-free lots?

Yes — 0% Cuscuta, verified on the ISTA orange certificate for every lot. Dodder is the #1 cause of alfalfa seed rejection at Gulf ports; our cleaning line and testing eliminate it.

What are MOQ and payment terms?

MOQ 5 MT. LC at sight through Saudi banks, or 30/70 TT. Private-label packing available from 10 MT.

Can you supply hydroponic/sprouting grade?

Yes — high-germination lots suitable for hydroponic green-fodder units are available; see our sprouting seed page.

Get Your Saudi Arabia Quote Within 24 Hours

Dodder-free, ISTA-certified alfalfa seed to Jeddah & Dammam. Arabic-speaking export desk. FOB · CFR · CIF.

WhatsApp +92 310 4929292 export@kohenoorint.com

Alfalfa Seeds for Saudi Arabia — Direct Pakistani Exporter