Saudi Arabia links sweetened beverage tax to sugar content

The rule covers all forms of sweetened beverages, including ready-to-drink drinks, concentrates, powders, gels, and extracts intended for consumption. Shutterstock
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Updated 30 December 2025
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Saudi Arabia links sweetened beverage tax to sugar content

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority has announced that starting Jan. 1, 2026, the selective tax on sweetened beverages will be calculated based on their total sugar content, replacing the current flat 50 percent rate applied to retail prices.

Under the new regulations, graduated tax brackets will be applied according to the sugar content per 100 milliliters of ready-to-drink beverages.

The rule covers all forms of sweetened beverages, including ready-to-drink drinks, concentrates, powders, gels, and extracts intended for consumption.

ZATCA said the change aims to promote public health and encourage consumers to choose lower-sugar options. By linking taxation to sugar content, the authority expects producers and importers to reduce sugar levels in their products, in line with international best practices.

The reform follows a decision by the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which recommended adopting a volumetric, sugar-content-based excise tax methodology for sweetened beverages across the region.

The update is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to encourage healthier consumption patterns and reduce sugar intake among residents.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to 10,894

Updated 13 January 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to 10,894

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index extended its upward trend for a third consecutive day this week, gaining 148.18 points, or 1.38 percent, to close at 10,893.63 on Tuesday. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index stood at SR6.05 billion ($1.61 billion), with 144 listed stocks advancing and 107 declining. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu also rose by 81.35 points to close at 23,668.29. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index edged up 1.71 percent to 1,460.89. 

The best-performing stock on the main market was Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co., with its share price advancing 10 percent to SR2.75. 

Shares of CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. increased 8.27 percent to SR23.04, while Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. saw its stock climb 6.17 percent to SR50.60. 

Conversely, the share price of Naseej International Trading Co. declined 9.90 percent to SR31.48. 

On the announcements front, Arabian Drilling Co. said it secured three contract extensions for land rigs with energy giant Saudi Aramco, totaling SR1.4 billion and adding 25 active rig years to its backlog. 

In a Tadawul statement, the company said one rig is currently operational, the second will begin operations by the end of January, and the third — currently suspended — is expected to resume operations in 2026. 

Since November 2025, Arabian Drilling has secured seven contract extensions amounting to SR3.4 billion, representing 55 committed rig years. 

The three contracts have durations of 10 years, 10 years, and five years, respectively.

“Securing a total of SR1.4 billion in new contracts and expanding our backlog by 25 rig-years demonstrates both the trust our clients place in us and our ability to consistently deliver quality and reliability,” said Ghassan Mirdad, CEO of Arabian Drilling, in a statement. 

Shares of Arabian Drilling Co. rose 3.15 percent to SR104.70. 

Separately, Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. said it signed a 36-month contract valued at SR43.35 million with National Water Co. to operate and maintain water networks, pumping stations, wells, reservoirs, and related facilities in Tabuk. 

In October, Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. announced it had been awarded the contract by NWC. 

In a Tadawul statement, the company said the financial impact of the deal began in the fourth quarter of 2025. 

The share price of Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Co. declined 0.49 percent to SR120.70.