Habba sawda — Nigella sativa, black seed, kalonji. The traditional Islamic-medicine ingredient referred to in the Hadith as “the seed that cures everything but death.” Essential Care Plus supplies habba sawda wholesale to UAE-based supplement brands, halal-certified retailers, traditional medicine practitioners, and food importers. Direct from cooperative producers in North and East Africa, with phytosanitary documentation, halal-compatible processing, and ESMA-compatible certification.
Why UAE buyers source habba sawda from us
Habba sawda is mainstream OTC in the UAE supplement and traditional-medicine market. Demand is consistent year-round, with seasonal peaks during Ramadan. Most UAE buyers source from intermediary distributors in India or via European wholesale (re-exported African or Indian seed at marked-up prices). We sell directly from origin, cooperative-sourced, with full documentation. UAE buyers typically save 25–40% per kilogram on the landed price vs Europe-routed habba sawda, while gaining direct-from-origin provenance.
Specifications
- Botanical name: Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae)
- Local names: habba sawda (حبة السوداء / حب البركة) in Arabic, kalonji in Urdu/Hindi, çörek otu in Turkish, black cumin / black seed in English
- Form: Whole seeds, black, intact (not crushed)
- Origin: Smallholder cooperatives in North and East Africa
- Thymoquinone content: Reported per batch on the CoA; typical range 0.4–1.2% in cold-pressed oil fraction
- Moisture content: <9% (CoA-reported)
- Microbial limits: Food-grade per Codex Alimentarius / GCC standards
- Heavy metals: Per UAE Federal Law standards (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury); confirmed by ICP-MS panel per batch
- Halal compatibility: Botanical product, no animal-origin processing aids, no alcohol-based extraction; halal documentation supplied on request
Wholesale tier pricing
SKU ECP1P62. 10 kg minimum order quantity. Tier pricing automatic for orders 10–100 kg. For larger volume contracts (200 kg+ recurring) we negotiate per-volume.
| Tier | Price (USD) | Per-kg |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | $750 | $75.00 |
| 20 kg | $1,400 | $70.00 |
| 50 kg | $3,350 | $67.00 |
| 70 kg | $4,610 | $65.86 |
| 100 kg | $6,500 | $65.00 |
UAE import documentation
- MOCCAE (Ministry of Climate Change & Environment) — phytosanitary review at port of entry. We supply the originating phytosanitary certificate from DPV Bénin.
- ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology) — conformity assessment for food-grade ingredients. We provide product specification documentation to facilitate ESMA review.
- Dubai Municipality Food Code — applicable for shipments cleared through Dubai. Our food-grade CoA panel matches Dubai Municipality requirements.
- Halal documentation — not strictly required for botanical ingredients but commonly requested for retail product registration. We supply on request.
- Importer of Record — your responsibility. We can recommend established UAE-based customs brokers familiar with botanicals from Cotonou origin.
See full import documentation by market for the complete UAE checklist.
Lead time & logistics to UAE
Cotonou→Dubai DHL Express: typically 4–7 business days for orders under 100 kg. Cotonou→Jebel Ali sea freight (LCL): 25–35 days, recommended for orders 500 kg+. We can route through Abu Dhabi or Sharjah on request. Total lead time from order confirmation to UAE delivery: 14–28 days for express, 35–50 days for sea freight (including 5–10 days production + Cotonou customs).
Common UAE applications
- Habba sawda capsules for traditional-medicine OTC retail (500 mg whole seed per Size 00 capsule; see capsule formulation)
- Cold-pressed habba sawda oil production for retail (yields ~25–30% by weight)
- Whole seed for traditional preparation (chewing, decoction) sold via attar shops and traditional medicine retailers
- Functional food applications — bread topping, honey infusion, ghee infusion
- Ramadan gift sets (whole seed + oil + honey, gift-packaged for the season)
Frequently asked — UAE buyers
Is your habba sawda halal-certified?
The seed itself is a botanical product, so no animal-origin halal concerns apply at source. Our processing uses no alcohol-based extraction, no animal-derived processing aids. We supply standard halal-compatibility documentation on request. For dedicated halal certification (specific certifying body required by your buyer), we can route through ESMA-recognised halal certification bodies in Cotonou or coordinate with your UAE-based halal certifier.
Can you supply cold-pressed habba sawda oil instead of whole seed?
We supply whole seed by default. Cold-pressed habba sawda oil production from our seed is available as a separate sourcing arrangement for orders 200 kg seed equivalent and above, with output oil delivered in bulk drums or your specified packaging. Contact us for cold-pressed oil quotes.
Do you do private-label packaging for UAE retail?
Yes, for repeat orders above 200 kg per format. UAE retail labelling (Arabic + English bilingual, halal logo, Dubai Municipality registration number) we can either coordinate at our packaging partner in Cotonou or supply unbranded bulk to your contracted UAE packaging partner.
What about thymoquinone content variation between batches?
Thymoquinone content varies naturally by cultivation region, harvest timing, and oxidation history of the seed lot. We report measured thymoquinone content per batch on the CoA so your QA team has the actual figure rather than a general claim. For buyers with strict thymoquinone-minimum requirements, we can route to lots that exceed your spec; pricing reflects the additional selection.
Request quote
Tell us your volume, destination Emirate, target delivery month, and any specific QA requirements (thymoquinone minimum, halal certifying body, etc.). We respond within two business days with availability, freight to UAE, and a sample CoA. Submit the wholesale form or email contact@essentialcareplus.com.