RIYADH, Apr 17 (Arab News): Saudi Arabia's date exports saw a 15.9 per cent year-on-year increase in 2024, reaching SR1.695 billion ($451.7 million), according to newly released data from the National Centre for Palms and Dates.
In the same year, the Kingdom produced more than 1.9 million tonnes of dates, underscoring its significant role in the global date industry, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Home to over 33 million palm trees-representing approximately 27 per cent of the world's total-Saudi Arabia maintains around 123,000 palm agricultural holdings across the country, further solidifying its position as a global leader in date production.
Looking ahead, the global date market is expected to grow from $120 million in 2023 to $220 million by 2032, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 5.22 per cent, according to Market Research Future.
The SPA statement said: "Saudi dates have achieved notable expansion across global markets, reaching consumers in 133 countries. The export value represents a 15.9 per cent increase compared to 2023."
It added: "The growth is attributed to sustained efforts aimed at enhancing the quality of Saudi dates and broadening their global marketing presence, highlighting the increasing importance of the palm and date sector in bolstering the national economy and diversifying revenue streams."
The Kingdom's date industry has undergone a remarkable transformation since the launch of Vision 2030 in 2016 - a strategic initiative aimed at diversifying Saudi Arabia's non-oil economy.
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