- Hay and straw entering the EU are covered by EU animal health and plant health rules.
- Importers must confirm the origin country is authorised and what certification or treatment applies.
- Consignments are checked at an EU border control post; notification is done in TRACES.
- Main EU buyers of cereal straw (HS 1213) include the Netherlands, Portugal and Belgium; Switzerland is a major non-EU buyer.
- We supply phytosanitary and origin certificates plus SGS or Bureau Veritas inspection.
Who buys imported straw and hay in Europe
European demand comes from feed distributors, equine yards, mushroom growers, bedding suppliers and dairy farms in years of drought or poor harvests. Trade data shows the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and Germany among regular buyers of cereal straw, and Switzerland as a large importer outside the EU.
Step 1: confirm the rules for your product and origin
Hay and straw are covered by EU animal health law because they can carry animal disease, and by EU plant health rules. Entry is only allowed from authorised origins and under set conditions, which can include treatment and a specific official certificate. These lists and conditions change, so before ordering, ask your national competent authority or customs agent to confirm that Pakistani hay or straw is currently authorised and what certificate and treatment are needed.
Step 2: prepare the documents
- Official certificate(s) required for your consignment
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Certificate of origin
- Independent inspection report (SGS or Bureau Veritas)
- Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading
Your importer notifies the consignment in the EU's TRACES system before arrival so it can be checked at the border control post.
Step 3: agree the quality specification
For bedding and equine use, European buyers focus on low dust, bright colour, no mould and no foreign matter. Typical values for our wheat straw are max 12% moisture and about 40% ADF; our Rhodes grass hay tests at 10–14% moisture and 9–12% crude protein. Ask for a sample or a lab report before contract.
Step 4: freight and delivery
We load containers at Karachi for Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Lisbon (Sines), Valencia and other ports, and quote CFR or CIF.
This guide is general information. Import rules change; confirm current requirements with the authority or customs broker named above before you order.
