His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, Governor of Al-Ahsa, officially inaugurated the Al-Ahsa Dates Auction Season 2025 at the King Abdullah Date City, in the presence of senior officials and sector specialists. 

The inauguration also included the signing of several agreements designed to support the date sector and enhance the agricultural supply chain. These initiatives are part of a comprehensive strategy to develop production, marketing, and processing systems; empower farmers; attract investment; and strengthen the sector’s sustainability and efficiency by opening new marketing channels — all in line with Vision 2030 objectives. 

Prince Saud emphasized the strategic importance of the auction season, describing it as a cornerstone of the date industry and a key initiative that strengthens Al-Ahsa’s economic and cultural position as one of the Kingdom’s leading date-producing regions. 

The Prince commended the Kingdom’s leadership for its continued support, which has greatly contributed to the sector’s growth. He urged all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration to ensure the success of this season and maximize its benefits for farmers and consumers alike, thereby enhancing the local economy and increasing the agricultural sector’s contribution to the national GDP. 

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Sahlawi, CEO of the National Centre for Palms & Dates, stated that the auction season is part of an integrated network of seasonal date markets across the Kingdom — a system aimed at enhancing product quality, improving operational efficiency, and driving digital transformation in the sector. He added that Al-Ahsa alone hosts more than 2.5 million palm trees and 35 date-processing factories. 

Al-Ahsa Mayor, Eng. Essam Al-Mulla, described the auction as a leading economic and marketing platform that strengthens the region’s position as a global hub for dates. He emphasized that the event plays a pivotal role in supporting farmers and expanding market access for producers, in alignment with Vision 2030 objectives.