Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia, which produces greater than 300 styles of dates, tops globally in exporting the fruit, the Ministry of Setting, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) has introduced.

It stated the annual output of dates within the Kingdom exceeds 1.6 million tons.

MEWA stated the Kingdom has witnessed a 5.4% improve within the export of dates and its derivatives in 2022, in comparison with 2021. The full amount of exports exceeded 321,000 tons, with a worth of SR1.28 billion

The rise was 121% in comparison with 2016 when the exports amounted to SR578 million, or 134,000 tons.

As for the dates exports in the course of the Q1 of the present yr, there was progress of two.5% in comparison with the identical interval in 2022, with a worth exceeding SR566 million. Saudi dates are exported to 111 nations the world over.

Saudi Arabia is seeing enormous progress within the manufacturing of dates and its derivatives with the appliance of the most recent applied sciences and the best high quality requirements within the course of, which led to a lift in exports, inserting the nation on the prime of the listing of date exporters globally in 2021.

MEWA stated the variety of date palms in Saudi Arabia exceeded 34 million timber distributed throughout Saudi Arabia’s areas.

Al-Qassim area has the best variety of palms with a complete of 11.2 million timber, adopted by Madinah with 8.3 million and Riyadh with 7.7 million, whereas the Japanese area (Al-Sharqiyah) has 4.1 million timber.

The ministry confirmed that the palms and dates sector is among the tributaries of agricultural manufacturing within the Kingdom, which is relied upon to realize meals safety and sustainable agricultural growth.

MEWA is working, with the related authorities, to help and improve initiatives that contribute to creating the sector consistent with the targets of the Kingdom’s Imaginative and prescient 2030.

Inside the framework of reaching these targets, MEWA has adopted quite a few strategic initiatives and plans which contribute to rising the nationwide exports of dates and its merchandise.

It should additionally contribute to rising the charges of native consumption and enhancing agricultural and industrial practices, along with providing help and help to farmers, in addition to offering advertising providers and essential details about the dates sector.

MEWA has established a specialist heart for date palms and their growth. It contributes to creating the sector, in addition to creating an built-in system of providers to extend productiveness.

The main target of selling dates is on partnership with the non-public sector. The middle formulates the promotional commonplace and specs for various styles of dates, along with enhancing the standard of dates in accordance with the worldwide market necessities.

MEWA has additionally established a database for palms and dates, after searching for assist from consultants and specialists in finishing up varied agricultural analysis on this subject and cooperating with quite a few agricultural authorities, along with native and worldwide organizations.

Concerning worldwide efforts, MEWA stated Saudi Arabia has supported the institution of the Worldwide Council of Dates due to its perception within the significance of the sector and the need of enhancing worldwide cooperation within the subject.

The council’s first assembly was held in Al-Ahsa within the month of Rajab, equivalent to February 2023, which witnessed the presence of quite a few agricultural ministers, representatives of nations producing and importing dates, in addition to the Meals and Agriculture Group (FAO), the Arab Group for Agricultural Growth (AOAD), the Arab Heart for the Research of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD), and the Nationwide Heart for Palms and Dates.

The Madinah area is at present witnessing the primary harvest of this yr’s Rutab crop — Rutab means the stage between the third and fourth ripening of date.

The central date market in Madinah receives considerable portions of Rutab, most notably Rothana and Ajwa, to satisfy the every day demand, together with the wants of the gross sales shops.

The ministry identified that a part of the portions bought is exported immediately to varied areas and cities of Saudi Arabia by way of closed vans to satisfy the demand for Madinah’s Rutab domestically.