Saudi Date Exports Hit $398M Last Year, China Market Growth
Saudi date exports hit SR1.462bn ($398m) last year, according to data released by the National Centre for Palms and Dates (NCPD).
The value of Saudi Arabia’s date exports increased by 14 per cent in 2023, compared to SR1.28bn ($341m) in 2022.
By the end of 2023, the number of countries importing Saudi dates had reached 119.
Saudi date exports
The total value of date and date-byproduct exports increased by 152.5 per cent since 2016, from SR579m ($154m) in 2016 to SR1.462bn ($398m) in 2023, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3 per cent.
NCPD Chief Executive Dr Mohammed Alnuwairan credits the success to collaborative efforts among the leadership, date producers and exporters, and public-sector agencies.
The efforts involved participating in local and international exhibitions, organizing business missions, facilitating export procedures, and working in partnership with the private sector under a unified strategy aiming to support the date exports.
Alnuwairan highlighted promising advancements in the quality and production of processed date products, alongside local and international marketing initiatives, to further solidify the position of Saudi dates in global markets.
Exports to China saw a remarkable 121 per cent surge in 2023 compared to 2022, while France experienced a 16 per cent increase.
Singapore and Korea also recorded significant growth in date imports from Saudi Arabia, with increases of 86 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively.
According to Alnuwairan, NCPD, in collaboration with the private sector, has set ambitious goals that aim to make Saudi dates the preferred choice for global consumers through various initiatives.
These include expanding national exports of dates and date byproducts, enhancing agricultural and industrial practices for improved quality, providing essential marketing services and industry information, and empowering the date sector through various support measures.
