Yes, beekeeping is legal in Saudi Arabia under the Kingdom’s agricultural and environmental frameworks, but compliance with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development (NCVCD) and Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) mandates is mandatory. Recent 2026 amendments to the Law of Plant Protection now require apiary registration and disease surveillance to mitigate risks to pollination ecosystems.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Saudi Arabia
- Apiary Registration: All beekeepers must register their hives with MEWA’s Plant Protection Department, submitting location data and colony counts via the Saudi Agricultural Information System (SAIS) by 2026.
- Disease Control: Hives must undergo annual inspections for Varroa destructor and American foulbrood, with mandatory treatment protocols enforced by NCVCD-certified veterinarians.
- Environmental Zoning: Beekeeping is prohibited within 500 meters of industrial zones, airports, or protected desert habitats to prevent ecological disruption and airspace conflicts.