Diriyah Dates Season Celebrates Heritage and Sector Growth as Exports Hit $453 Million
RIYADH: Diriyah Governor Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah has praised the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for its work in growing Saudi Arabia’s date production industry and increasing the international status of dates as a national commodity.
Prince Fahd lauded the support programs offered by the ministry for farmers as well as value-added projects that work according to Vision 2030 objectives of the Kingdom during the launch of Diriyah Dates Season.
The event, organized by the National Center for Palms and Dates, continues until July 24 and showcases the immense cultural and economic significance of the date industry.
There are numerous booths exhibiting local date vendors, processed date products, palm by-products, and family-owned business handmade products. Restaurants, food trucks, all-age cultural workshops, a horse parade, and an auction zone for live dates can also be enjoyed by visitors.
In alignment with the Year of Handicrafts, the Ministry of Culture is also joining in with a dedicated pavilion commemorating artisans that produce palm-based crafts, yet again highlighting the artistic and historical importance of date palms within Saudi culture.
The Kingdom’s date and palm industry remains prosperous. Date production reached over 1.9 million tonnes in 2024, with exports totaling SR1.7 billion ($453 million) to 133 countries—nearly double the exports of last year.
This growth indicates Saudi Arabia’s high production capacity and government-led efforts to upgrade quality, increase global reach, and enhance supply chains.
Diriyah Dates Season not only enhances local and global sales of Saudi dates but also revitalizes and commemorates the rich cultural heritage associated with palm cultivation and the historical identity of Diriyah.