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Retail

Fruit and vegetable shop feasibility study

Latest regulatory change: 2025 · reviewed 2026-11-05

A shop selling fresh fruit and vegetables by the kilo and by the box, with delivery.

  • 41.2%Increase in onion self-sufficiency in 2024[4]
  • 6 monthsCorrection period for existing grocery stores[2]
  • 70%Saudization rate in fruit and vegetable outlets[1]

Latest regulatory and market changes

  1. 2020A ministerial decision requires outlets selling fruit, vegetables and dates to Saudize 70% of their workforce.[1]
  2. 2025The requirements for grocery stores and kiosks bar them from selling fruit and vegetables, with a correction period of no more than 6 months for existing stores.[2]
  3. 2025The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) has called for compliance with packing and labelling requirements for agricultural produce: name, weight, packing date and country of origin.[3]

Why now

  • Barring small grocery stores from selling fruit and vegetables shifts demand to specialist shops and larger markets.[2]
  • Rising local production: self-sufficiency in onions rose by 41.2% and in tomatoes by 9.2% in 2024.[4]

101%Self-sufficiency in cucumbers in 2024, with courgettes at 100%, okra at 102% and aubergines at 105%.[4]

The idea and business model

A shop selling fresh local and imported fruit and vegetables to households and restaurants. Income comes from the margin between wholesale market and retail prices, and from delivery and supply to restaurants.

Model: Retail on a fixed site

Project economics

Revenue formula

Daily customers×Average ticket×Trading days

Sales channels

  • In-store sales
  • Delivery and online orders
  • Supply to restaurants and kitchens

Largest cost items

  • Purchases from the wholesale market
  • Wastage and spoilage
  • Salaries
  • Rent and refrigeration

Decisive indicators we measure

  • Wastage rate
  • Gross margin
  • Average ticket
  • Inventory turnover in days

Relevant authorities

  • Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MoMAH) via Balady: shop licence and health requirements for fruit and vegetable shops
  • Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA): packing and labelling requirements for agricultural produce
  • Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD): 70% Saudization rate
  • Ministry of Commerce: Commercial Registration (CR)

What needs your attention

  • Daily wastage of perishable produce determines profitability.
  • Wholesale market prices change daily with the season and imports.
  • The new grocery store requirements define who may sell vegetables, so holding the correct licence is essential.

What a Fruit and vegetable shop study calculates for you

  • Wastage rate per product line
  • Margin between wholesale and retail
  • Seasonal effect on prices
  • Cost of 70% Saudization
  • Daily customers needed to break even

Every one of these figures appears in your study with its source and date, built on your location and capital, with a clear line between documented facts and assumptions.

Sources

Most sources are Saudi government and press pages in Arabic; titles are kept in their original language so you can find them.

  1. قرار توطين منافذ البيع في 12 نشاطاً اقتصادياًوزارة الموارد البشرية والتنمية الاجتماعية · 2020-03
  2. «البلديات»: منع البقالات من بيع التبغ والخضراوات والفواكهعكاظ · 2025-06
  3. Saudi Arabia issues new rules on packaging and labeling of fruits and vegetablesGulf News · 2025-09
  4. الإحصاء تنشر نتائج إحصاءات الأمن الغذائي 2024الهيئة العامة للإحصاء · 2025-12

Last reviewed: 4 November 2026. This page introduces the activity; detailed figures belong in the study.