Saudi Date Exports Hit SAR 1.938 Billion in 2025

Saudi Arabia's date exports reached a value of SAR 1.938 billion in 2025, up 14.3% compared with 2024 and roughly 60% higher than in 2021. The results keep the Kingdom ranked first globally in date exports by value.

Export volumes to several major markets grew sharply year over year. Shipments rose 67% to Japan, 48% to South Africa, 47% to the Netherlands and 39% to China. The domestic date market reached about 1.25 million tons in 2025, with further growth projected through 2032.

Programs behind the growth

The National Center for Palms and Dates (NCPD) leads sector development, quality control and export promotion. Its Export Centers program applies an integrated regulatory and inspection system to ensure exported dates meet international standards. Exporters must hold a valid industrial license from the Ministry of Industry, an operational license for factories from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, and licensed cold storage and freezing facilities. Date export certificates are issued only after shipments are verified at accredited export centers.

At the farm level, the NCPD works to raise the share of dates meeting international requirements, monitors pesticide residues to keep them within allowable limits, and links exporters with registered farms through contract farming. Farms must hold an agricultural registration under the national census and attend training workshops.

The Center also runs an Annual Date Purchase Program that buys dates from small farmers above prevailing market prices to support incomes and improve quality, provides inputs and guidance to agricultural associations, and offers financial subsidies to small palm farmers. An electronic Seasonal Dates Markets Platform helps regulate seasonal markets.

For growers, exporters and the wider community, the figures underline the growing role of dates in the Kingdom's agri-food exports and food-sector jobs, supporting national goals to expand non-oil trade.

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