RIYADH — The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) has revealed that the Saudi date exports recorded an increase by 5.4% in 2022, compared to 2021, exceeding SR1 billion and 280 million. Saudi Arabia gives the palms and dates sector great interest and care through working on developing it and ensuring its sustainability. This is in addition to increasing its contribution in GDP, as the dates achieved self-sufficient exceeding 125%, while the quantities of its production have exceeded 1.54 million tons annually. The Saudi dates have spread in several global markets, and the number of countries that import the Saudi dates is 116 countries across the world. They are importing more than 300 types of the highest quality Saudi dates. According to MEWA, Saudi Arabia embraces more than 33 million palm trees, more than 123,000 agricultural holdings distributed within 13 regions throughout the Kingdom. The dates and palms sector contribute to various important manufacturing industries, such as food and fodder, medical and cosmetics products, building materials industries and others. The manufacturing industries of palm and dates are considered as one of the most important industries globally. It is noteworthy that the Saudi markets are witnessing a huge turnout currently on the purchase of dates due to the advent of the holy month of Ramadan, amidst a significant abundance of all its kinds.
