How It Works

Simplification in a Complex Market

Global agricultural trade is a high-stakes environment. It involves navigating a labyrinth of international regulations, fluctuating commodity prices, logistical bottlenecks, and the constant challenge of establishing trust with new partners. For many businesses, the sheer complexity of moving a container of rice or a pallet of spices from Point A to Point B can be overwhelming. The gap between finding a buyer and actually getting paid is filled with potential pitfalls.

At Marhaba Agro Commercial Brokers, our entire business model is built on one premise: Simplification. We exist to streamline the chaotic elements of trade into a predictable, transparent, and efficient workflow. We are not just a marketplace; we are an operational ecosystem.

We don’t just introduce you to a counterparty; we hold the deal together through every stage of its lifecycle.

Our “How It Works” process is designed to be your roadmap. Whether you are a supplier in India looking to penetrate the GCC market, a buyer in Saudi Arabia sourcing specific grains, or a broker trying to monetize your network, our platform provides the structure you need. We integrate verification, brokerage, and physical execution (logistics, warehousing, customs) into a single, cohesive journey. By handling the heavy lifting of coordination, we empower you to focus on the commercial decisions that drive your growth.

The Marhaba Agro Process Step-by-Step

We have broken down the trade lifecycle into clear, manageable steps. This structured approach ensures that nothing is left to chance and that every transaction moves forward with discipline.

Verification & Onboarding (The Trust Foundation)

Before a single deal is discussed, we establish trust. The biggest risk in international trade is not the market price; it is the counterparty.

  • Registration: It starts with a simple registration on our platform. You create a profile as a Buyer, Supplier, or Broker.
  • KYC Vetting: We implement a rigorous “Verification First” policy. Our compliance team reviews corporate documents, trade licenses, and identification. This Know Your Customer (KYC) process filters out unreliable actors. When you trade on Marhaba, you know that the person on the other side of the screen is a legitimate business entity.
  • Member Tiers: Depending on your needs, you can operate as a standard verified user or upgrade to our Pro or Elite membership tiers for enhanced visibility and priority access to leads.

Sourcing & Matching (The Commercial Connection)

Once verified, the market opens up. This is where demand meets supply.

  • Posting RFQs: Buyers submit detailed Requests for Quotation (RFQs). This isn’t just “I want sugar.” Our system prompts for specifics: origin, grade, packaging type, quantity, and target price. This clarity eliminates back-and-forth emails.
  • Product Listings: Suppliers list their available stock with photos, specifications, and certifications.

Smart Matching: Our platform (and our brokerage team) actively matches these needs. We don’t just wait for you to search; we notify you when a relevant opportunity arises. If you are a broker, this is where you can connect your off-platform network to on-platform opportunities.

Deal Negotiation & Brokerage

We believe in the human element of trade. Algorithms can match data, but people close deals.

  • Broker Facilitation: Experienced brokers facilitate the negotiation. They help bridge gaps in price expectations, clarify Incoterms (FOB, CIF, Ex-Works), and ensure both parties understand their obligations.
  • Standardized Contracts: Once terms are agreed, we generate a formal Deal Confirmation or Purchase Order. This document locks in the price, quantity, specs, and delivery timeline. It also clearly defines the commission structure, ensuring everyone knows their financial standing.

Deposit & Financial Lock: To separate serious buyers from window shoppers, the deal moves to the financial commitment stage (e.g., opening an LC or making a deposit), signaling the green light for execution.

Logistics & Warehousing Coordination

This is where Marhaba Agro truly sets itself apart. We don’t stop at the contract signing; we execute the movement.

  • Freight Booking: Our logistics team coordinates with shipping lines and air freight carriers to secure the required space. Whether it’s a Full Container Load (FCL) of lentils or air-freighted fresh herbs, we manage the booking.
  • Warehousing Solutions: If the goods need to be stored before final delivery, we coordinate flexible warehousing options. We arrange dry or temperature-controlled storage in key hubs like Dubai or Sharjah, managing the “check-in” and “check-out” process seamlessly.

Cross-Border Transport: For regional trade, we coordinate the trucks. We manage the road transport logistics for moving goods between UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and other GCC neighbors, ensuring the right vehicles are used for the specific commodity.

Customs Clearance & Documentation Support

The paperwork is often the most stressful part of the process. We turn it into a checklist.

  • Document Review: Before the ship sails, we review drafts of the Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Phytosanitary Certificates. We check for errors that could cause delays at the destination port.
  • Clearance Coordination: We work with licensed clearing agents to manage the import or export declaration. We ensure that the correct HS codes are used and that duty exemptions (if applicable) are claimed.

Compliance Checks: We guide you through specific regulatory hurdles, such as food safety inspections or municipality approvals, ensuring your goods are cleared for entry without costly demurrage charges.

Re-Export Facilitation (Optional

For traders using the UAE as a hub, the journey might continue.

  • Transit Management: If you are bringing goods into a Free Zone to re-export them to Africa or Europe, we manage the “transit” status to suspend duties.
  • Consolidation: We can coordinate the consolidation of products from multiple origins into a single shipment for a specific buyer, adding value and reducing freight costs.

Outbound Logistics: We handle the re-export documentation and coordinate the onward journey, whether by sea, air, or land.

Final Delivery & Commission Payout

The cycle completes when the goods arrive and the deal is closed.

  • Delivery Confirmation: We track the shipment until it reaches the buyer’s warehouse.
  • Payment Settlement: Once the commercial payment is settled between buyer and seller, the commission status updates to “Payable.”
  • Broker Payment: We facilitate the secure release of broker commissions according to the agreed policy, ensuring fair compensation for the successful execution.

Final Delivery & Commission Payout

The cycle completes when the goods arrive and the deal is closed.

  • Delivery Confirmation: We track the shipment until it reaches the buyer’s warehouse.
  • Payment Settlement: Once the commercial payment is settled between buyer and seller, the commission status updates to “Payable.”
  • Broker Payment: We facilitate the secure release of broker commissions according to the agreed policy, ensuring fair compensation for the successful execution.

Commission Structure How It Works

Understanding how you get paid is the first step to a successful partnership. We offer a flexible commission structure designed to accommodate the varied nature of agricultural commodities, from high-value spices to bulk grains.

Calculation Methods

Commissions on the Marhaba Agro platform are agreed upon transaction by transaction or category by category, but they typically fall into one of two standard calculation models. This flexibility allows brokers and traders to choose the method that best fits the specific deal dynamics.

1. Percentage of Invoice Value

This is the most common model for high-value or mixed-commodity shipments.

  • Definition: The commission is calculated as a fixed percentage of the final Commercial Invoice value (typically the FOB or CIF value, excluding duties and taxes).
  • Example: If you broker a deal for Cardamom worth $50,000 with a 1% commission agreement, your earning is $500.
  • Benefit: This model aligns your earnings with the value of the deal. As market prices rise or volumes increase, your commission scales largely.

2. Fixed Fee per Unit (MT/Container)

This model is preferred for bulk commodities where margins are tight and volume is high, such as rice, sugar, or wheat.

  • Definition: A specific dollar amount is agreed upon for every Metric Ton (MT) or container shipped.
  • Example: A deal for 500 MT of Rice might carry a commission of $5 per MT. Regardless of the daily price fluctuation of rice, your income is fixed at $2,500 for that volume.
  • Benefit: This offers predictability. You know exactly what you will earn based on the volume moved, shielding your income from market price dips.

Why Choose the Marhaba Way?

Why navigate the complexities of trade alone when you can have a partner? The traditional method of fragmented trading—hiring a separate broker, a separate forwarder, and a separate clearing agent is inefficient and prone to communication breakdowns.

End to End Accountability

We provide a single point of coordination. If there is a delay at the port, you don’t need to call the trucking company, then the clearing agent, then the shipping line to find out why. You contact us. We maintain visibility over the entire chain, solving problems holistically rather than in isolation.

Speed and Efficiency

Time is money, especially with perishable goods or volatile markets. By integrating these services, we remove the friction of handovers. We know when the ship arrives, so the trucks are already booked. We know what documents are needed, so they are prepared in advance. This synchronization shaves days off the total transit time.

Reduced Risk

Our verification processes protect you from fraud. Our document reviews protect you from customs rejection. Our logistics coordination protects your cargo from poor handling. We are in the business of de-risking trade, giving you the confidence to expand into new markets or work with new partners.

Access to a Trusted Network

When you work with Marhaba, you aren’t just getting a service provider; you are plugging into a network. You gain access to verified buyers and suppliers, reliable warehouse operators, and experienced transport companies. We have done the due diligence so you don’t have to.

Transparency

No hidden fees, no “black box” operations. Whether it’s our clear commission policy or our regular status updates on your shipment, we believe that you should always know where your money and your goods are.

Start Your Journey Today

he path to successful agro-trade is clear. It doesn’t have to be a struggle against bureaucracy and logistics. With Marhaba Agro Commercial Brokers, you have a partner who understands the terrain and has the vehicle to get you to your destination.

Whether you are ready to post your first RFQ, need to find a warehouse for your stock, or want to register as a broker, the process starts with a single step.