RIYADH: Governor of Diriyah, Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah, has praised the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) for developing the date production sector in Saudi Arabia and enhancing the quality of dates as a national product.
He highlighted the ministry’s support programmes for farmers and initiatives that add value to dates, aligning with Vision 2030 goals, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He made the remarks while inaugurating the Diriyah Dates Season and accompanying exhibition, which runs until July 24.
Organised by the National Centre for Palms and Dates, the event aims to promote the sale of Saudi dates both locally and internationally, while also offering visitors a glimpse into Diriyah’s rich cultural and historical heritage through a variety of social and cultural activities.
The exhibition includes booths featuring date vendors, processed date products, palm by-products, and handmade goods from family-run cottage industries.
Visitors can also enjoy restaurants, cafes, food trucks, interactive workshops for both adults and children, a dedicated date auction zone, and a traditional horse parade.
As part of the Year of Handicrafts, the Ministry of Culture is participating with a dedicated booth showcasing artisans skilled in palm-based crafts, celebrating the Kingdom’s craftsmanship and cultural legacy.
The Kingdom’s palm and date sector is growing rapidly. According to figures from the General Authority for Statistics, production surpassed 1.9 million tonnes in 2024, with SR1.7 billion ($453 million) worth of dates exported to 133 countries, up significantly from the previous year.
This growth reflects the Kingdom’s strong production capacity and government efforts to improve quality, expand global outreach, and develop supply chains.
