Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah, Governor of Diriyah, commended the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for its role in developing the Kingdom’s date production ecosystem and improving the quality of Saudi dates. He highlighted the Ministry’s farmer-support programs and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the added value of dates, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. 

The statement was made during the official launch of the Diriyah Date Season and Exhibition, held yesterday evening in the presence of Eng. Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mishaiti, Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, CEO of the National Centre for Palms & Dates. Running until 24 July 2025, the event is part of the “Our Dates Seasons” initiative, organized by the National Centre for Palms & Dates to strengthen the presence of Saudi dates in local and global markets. The season offers a distinctive experience that blends Diriyah’s rich heritage with economic, cultural, and social activities centered around dates and their products. 

The Governor affirmed that the Diriyah Date Season reflects the Kingdom’s strong commitment to advancing the agricultural sector and supporting the palm and date industry as a key pillar of national food security and a promising economic resource. He also praised the Ministry and the Centre for their efforts to empower farmers and enhance productivity, quality, and efficiency across the entire supply chain. Hosting the Date Season in Diriyah, he noted, underscores the distinguished status of Saudi dates both locally and globally. 

Highlighting the wide-ranging impact of the “Our Dates Seasons” initiative, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Sahlawi, CEO of the National Centre for Palms & Dates, explained that the initiative seeks to stimulate consumer demand, revitalize date markets across the Kingdom, and enhance the quality, volume, and added value of Saudi date production, thereby reinforcing dates as a distinguished national product. 

During the event, visitors will have the opportunity to explore a wide selection of premium date varieties, particularly the early-ripening types for which Diriyah is renowned, such as Dukhaini, Muqfazi, Qatara, and Barni, alongside several other popular Saudi date varieties. The event offers a vibrant atmosphere that combines heritage, entertainment, and cultural experiences, creating a unique setting where shopping meets deep-rooted tradition. 

The Diriyah Date Season features 48 booths dedicated to date vendors and date-based products, 4 booths showcasing palm byproducts, and 25 booths for productive families. The event also includes 6 restaurants and cafés, 2 food trucks, and government pavilions for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Diriyah Municipality, and Diriyah Gate. Visitors can enjoy interactive workshops for adults and children, a dedicated date auction area, and the lively “Horse Parade”. They can also explore a crafts pavilion operated by the Ministry of Culture, featuring artisans specialized in palm-based handicrafts, as part of the “Year of Handicrafts” initiative. 

The palm and date sector in the Kingdom is experiencing strong growth. According to the General Authority for Statistics (2024), the value of date exports has reached SAR 1.695 billion, while domestic production has exceeded 1.9 million tons. Saudi dates are now exported to 133 countries worldwide, reflecting a 15.9% increase compared to 2023. This progress is driven by the efforts of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the National Centre for Palms & Dates to enhance quality, expand global reach, and develop supply chains, thereby strengthening the sector’s contribution to the national economy in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. 

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