Saudi Arabia has maintained its position as the world's leading exporter of dates by value for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, with exports reaching SR1.938 billion ($517.7 million). This marks a 14% increase from 2024, according to data from the International Trade Centre.
The growth in date exports underscores the sector's significant contribution to the national economy and aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Kingdom's agricultural exports. Ahmed Al-Mousa, CEO of the National Center for Palms and Dates, attributed this success to the support from Saudi leadership and the collaborative efforts of government agencies and private businesses.
These efforts have enhanced supply chains, improved export efficiency, and expanded the international reach of Saudi dates. Al-Mousa emphasized that the quality and diversity of Saudi dates have bolstered the Kingdom's presence in global markets, making them available in more than 125 countries. He noted that these attributes help meet the varied tastes and needs of consumers worldwide.
Saudi Arabia's date production is impressive, with over 1.9 million tonnes produced annually from more than 37 million palm trees. The National Center for Palms and Dates has implemented programs to improve the sector's value chain, increase efficiency, and ensure that Saudi dates are recognized as a safe, high-quality food product internationally.
The Kingdom's date exports have shown consistent growth over recent years. In 2021, exports were valued at SR1.215 billion, with Saudi Arabia leading the global rankings by export value. This figure rose to SR1.28 billion in 2022, with exports reaching 116 countries. By 2023, the value increased to SR1.462 billion, a 14% rise, and further to SR1.695 billion in 2024, marking a 15.9% increase.
Since 2016, the value of Saudi date exports has surged by 192.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.7%. Saudi Arabia ranks second globally in date production, contributing about 17% of the world's output, and boasts a self-sufficiency rate of over 125%.
Beyond economic significance, the date palm is deeply rooted in Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage. The Al-Ahsa Oasis, covering 85.4 square kilometers and home to over 2.5 million palm trees, was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2018. Additionally, in 2020, it was recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest self-contained oasis in the world.
In 2019, the cultural importance of the date palm was further acknowledged when “Date palm, knowledge, skills, traditions and practices” was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, through a joint nomination by Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.
