(MENAFN) According to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, date exports from Saudi Arabia grew 5.4 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year, reaching SR1.28 billion (USD340 million). The Kingdom exported more than 300 types of dates, ranking first in value among 113 countries according to the International Trade Center. The number of importing countries in 2022 reached 116 countries, with an estimated 1.54 million tons of date quantities produced.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is home to more than 33 million palm trees, as well as over 123,000 agricultural holdings distributed across 13 regions of the country. Both the palm and dates sector contribute to several significant manufacturing industries, such as food and fodder, medical products, cosmetic products, building materials, among others. Dates are an essential fruit among Saudi families, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. This is mainly attributed to the high nutritional value associated with dates, and they contain major elements that the body needs, especially after fasting for long hours.
According to nutrition experts, eating dates at breakfast provides the body with energy, activity, and vitality. Dates contain natural sugars, such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose, in addition to acids, proteins, and vitamins such as vitamins A, B, C, and E. Dates also contain potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, sodium, zinc, and magnesium, and are known to reduce cholesterol in the blood.
During Ramadan, the Kingdom's markets usually witness a booming demand for buying dates, the most prominent types of which are Ajwa, Anbara, and Al-Safawi, among others. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture revealed that date exports from the Kingdom have been increasing year by year, reflecting the high quality and diversity of Saudi dates. The export of dates is an important source of income for the Kingdom, and the government is working to develop and modernize the sector to increase its competitiveness in the global market.
Saudi Arabia's date industry is expected to continue to grow, with new initiatives such as the establishment of the Saudi Dates Council to develop the sector and the launch of the Saudi Dates Festival to promote and market Saudi dates internationally. The Kingdom's date industry not only provides economic benefits but also contributes to preserving the environment and supporting sustainable agriculture practices.
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