GITNUXREPORT 2026

Saudi Dates Industry Statistics

Saudi Arabia leads global date production with substantial growth and exports.

Alexander Schmidt

Research Analyst specializing in technology and digital transformation trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Annual date consumption in Saudi Arabia is 45 kg per capita, highest globally

Statistic 2

70% of production consumed domestically, totaling 1.2 million tons yearly

Statistic 3

Ramadan boosts consumption by 40% to 200,000 tons in one month

Statistic 4

Date juice and paste products consumed 100,000 tons annually

Statistic 5

Urban households consume 50 kg/capita vs 40 kg rural

Statistic 6

School programs distribute 50 million date packs to students yearly

Statistic 7

Supermarket sales of packaged dates SAR 1B annually

Statistic 8

Health trends increase functional date products consumption 20% YoY

Statistic 9

Hajj pilgrims consume 20,000 tons during pilgrimage season

Statistic 10

Bakery inclusion: dates in 30% Saudi breads, 50,000 tons used

Statistic 11

Online grocery sales of dates up 50% to 10,000 tons post-COVID

Statistic 12

Women-led households prefer premium dates, 25% market share

Statistic 13

Export leftovers 300,000 tons enter local markets cheaply

Statistic 14

Date vinegar and pickles niche market 5,000 tons consumed

Statistic 15

Nutrition programs recommend 100g daily, driving 15% rise

Statistic 16

Festivals consume 30,000 tons in public events yearly

Statistic 17

Chocolate-coated dates sales 8,000 tons, youth favorite

Statistic 18

Import of foreign dates minimal at 5,000 tons for variety

Statistic 19

Household storage surveys show 70% families stock dates year-round

Statistic 20

Energy bar market uses 15,000 tons dates as binder

Statistic 21

Per family consumption 200 kg/year average in date-producing regions

Statistic 22

Vegan trends boost date syrup use to 20,000 tons domestic

Statistic 23

Saudi date industry employs 200,000 workers directly in harvesting and packing

Statistic 24

Dates contribute SAR 6 billion to GDP, 2% of agri sector value

Statistic 25

Export revenues from dates reached SAR 3.5 billion in 2023

Statistic 26

1,500 date processing factories employ 50,000 with SAR 2B investment

Statistic 27

Vision 2030 allocates SAR 1B for date industry modernization

Statistic 28

Average farm income from dates SAR 500,000/ha for commercial ops

Statistic 29

300,000 rural jobs sustained by date cultivation and trade

Statistic 30

Date products market size SAR 10B including derivatives like syrups

Statistic 31

Investment in cold storage chains SAR 800M boosting post-harvest value

Statistic 32

SME date businesses number 5,000 generating SAR 1.5B revenue

Statistic 33

Cost of production per ton SAR 3,000 with export price SAR 8,000

Statistic 34

Tourism linked to date festivals adds SAR 500M yearly economic impact

Statistic 35

Subsidies for date farmers SAR 200M annually for irrigation tech

Statistic 36

Value-added products like date paste market SAR 1.2B exports

Statistic 37

10% GDP growth in agri from dates, employing 5% workforce

Statistic 38

Branding initiatives SAR 100M for "Saudi Dates" global campaign

Statistic 39

Insurance schemes cover SAR 2B date crop losses yearly

Statistic 40

E-commerce sales of dates SAR 300M via platforms like Noon

Statistic 41

R&D funding SAR 150M for high-yield varieties economic boost

Statistic 42

Export taxes nil, saving exporters SAR 400M annually

Statistic 43

Cooperative societies 200 strong, managing SAR 4B in date trade

Statistic 44

Halal certification adds 15% premium to economic value of exports

Statistic 45

Domestic wholesale price SAR 5/kg average for 1.5M tons sold

Statistic 46

FDI in date processing SAR 500M from UAE investors

Statistic 47

Saudi per capita date income contribution SAR 150 from industry

Statistic 48

Saudi Arabia exported 380,000 tons of dates in 2022 valued at SAR 2.8 billion

Statistic 49

India imported 25% of Saudi date exports, totaling 95,000 tons in 2023

Statistic 50

Date exports grew 15% YoY to 420,000 tons in 2023

Statistic 51

UAE received 50,000 tons of Saudi dates worth SAR 400 million annually

Statistic 52

Saudi dates reached 120 countries, with top market Pakistan at 60,000 tons

Statistic 53

Export value hit SAR 3.2 billion in 2023 from 450,000 tons shipped

Statistic 54

Europe imported 30,000 tons of premium Saudi dates like Ajwa in 2022

Statistic 55

China market for Saudi dates expanded to 40,000 tons valued at SAR 300 million

Statistic 56

Saudi date shipments to Malaysia reached 25,000 tons in 2023

Statistic 57

70% of exports are high-quality varieties certified organic, totaling 300,000 tons

Statistic 58

Jordan imports 15,000 tons yearly from Saudi, strengthening bilateral trade

Statistic 59

Export packaging standards boosted overseas sales by 20% to 410,000 tons

Statistic 60

USA imported 10,000 tons of Saudi Medjool dates in 2023 at premium prices

Statistic 61

GCC countries take 40% of Saudi date exports at 160,000 tons annually

Statistic 62

Russia market grew to 20,000 tons post-sanctions with Saudi suppliers

Statistic 63

Vacuum-packed dates exports hit 100,000 tons for longer shelf life

Statistic 64

Bangladesh imported 35,000 tons, second largest after India

Statistic 65

Saudi exports include 80,000 tons of pitted dates to Middle East

Statistic 66

2024 export target set at 500,000 tons under Vision 2030

Statistic 67

Turkey received 12,000 tons valued at SAR 90 million in 2023

Statistic 68

Organic date exports certified EU standards reached 25,000 tons

Statistic 69

Logistics hubs in Jeddah handled 250,000 tons of date exports yearly

Statistic 70

Africa market expanded to 50,000 tons including Egypt and Morocco

Statistic 71

Premium gift packs exported 15,000 tons during Ramadan globally

Statistic 72

Saudi dates hold 30% share in Indian market at 100,000 tons imported

Statistic 73

Re-export from UAE of Saudi dates totals 20,000 tons annually

Statistic 74

Digital platforms boosted B2B exports by 10% to 440,000 tons

Statistic 75

UK imports 8,000 tons of Saudi dates via Halal certification

Statistic 76

Over 400,000 tons exported in 2021, primary earner in fruits sector

Statistic 77

Saudi Arabia produced 1,631,376 metric tons of dates in 2021, accounting for 17% of global production

Statistic 78

The Al-Qassim region contributes 28% of Saudi Arabia's total date production with over 450,000 tons annually

Statistic 79

Saudi date palm cultivation covers 333,000 hectares, with 33 million trees yielding an average of 50 kg per tree

Statistic 80

In 2022, date production in Saudi Arabia reached 1.8 million tons, up 5% from previous year due to improved irrigation

Statistic 81

Riyadh region produces 320,000 tons of dates yearly, primarily from Medjool and Sukkari varieties

Statistic 82

Saudi Arabia's date yield per hectare averages 4.9 tons, highest among top producers

Statistic 83

Over 1.5 million tons of dates harvested in 2020 from 32 million palms

Statistic 84

Eastern Province yields 250,000 tons annually, focusing on high-quality export varieties

Statistic 85

Date production increased by 12% in Al-Madinah region to 180,000 tons in 2023

Statistic 86

Saudi farms use modern tech boosting production to 60 kg/tree in optimized groves

Statistic 87

Total irrigated date orchards span 340,000 ha with annual output exceeding 1.7 million tons

Statistic 88

Hail region contributes 15% of national production at 270,000 tons per year

Statistic 89

2023 production forecast at 1.9 million tons driven by new plantations

Statistic 90

Average date bunch weight in Saudi groves is 8-10 kg, yielding 55 kg/tree

Statistic 91

Saudi Arabia ranks 1st globally with 16-18% world share in date output

Statistic 92

Makkah region produces 200,000 tons, emphasizing organic farming methods

Statistic 93

Drip irrigation covers 90% of Saudi date farms, enhancing yield by 20%

Statistic 94

35 million date palms planted, producing 1.6 million tons in 2019

Statistic 95

Jazan area yields 50,000 tons from 500,000 trees annually

Statistic 96

Production per farm averages 25 tons from 400 trees in commercial setups

Statistic 97

Saudi date output value estimated at SAR 5 billion yearly from 1.75 million tons

Statistic 98

Najran province contributes 8% or 140,000 tons to national production

Statistic 99

High-density planting yields 7 tons/ha in advanced Saudi farms

Statistic 100

2022 harvest season saw 1,720,000 tons processed across 12 regions

Statistic 101

Tissue culture propagation increased productive trees by 10% to 36 million

Statistic 102

Asir region produces 30,000 tons focusing on local varieties

Statistic 103

National average productivity rose to 5.2 tons/ha in 2023

Statistic 104

1.85 million tons projected for 2024 with climate-resilient varieties

Statistic 105

Baha governorate yields 90,000 tons from mountainous orchards

Statistic 106

Saudi Arabia's date production supports 40% of GCC supply at 1.65 million tons

Statistic 107

Saudi Arabia has over 400 date varieties, with Sukkari leading at 20% of production

Statistic 108

Ajwa dates, known for medicinal properties, cultivated on 10,000 ha in Medina

Statistic 109

Medjool variety imported and now spans 15,000 ha yielding premium fruit

Statistic 110

Khalas variety occupies 25% of orchards, tolerant to salinity

Statistic 111

33 million trees include 30 major commercial varieties like Deglet Nour

Statistic 112

Safawi dates from Al-Qassim prized for softness, 5% of total acreage

Statistic 113

Barhi variety harvested fresh or ripe, covers 8% of Saudi palms

Statistic 114

Rotab stage preferred for 40 varieties, enhancing export quality

Statistic 115

Hillawi dates unique to Hofuf, small but flavorful, 2,000 ha

Statistic 116

Tissue-cultured varieties like Helwa planted on 5,000 ha recently

Statistic 117

Lulu variety soft and brown, popular locally from 3 million trees

Statistic 118

Quality grading: Grade A dates 70% moisture free, for 50 varieties

Statistic 119

Red Globe Medjool grown in 20,000 trees experimentally high yield

Statistic 120

Nahda variety resistant to bayoud disease, expanding cultivation

Statistic 121

414 documented varieties, 60 commercially viable in Saudi markets

Statistic 122

Mabroom dates from central regions, fibrous texture, 4% share

Statistic 123

Organic certified varieties like Ajwa on 2,000 ha meet EU standards

Statistic 124

Succary golden dates command SAR 50/kg premium price

Statistic 125

Khudri variety semi-dry, exported widely from Eastern Province

Statistic 126

Local heirloom varieties preserved in 500 gene banks nationwide

Statistic 127

Burny variety large fruit size up to 60g, grown in Hail

Statistic 128

Date quality index: TSS 70-80 Brix for top 20 varieties

Statistic 129

Hybrid varieties like 1S x P9 yield 80 kg/tree tested in farms

Statistic 130

Taifi rose-scented dates from Taif, rare 1,000 tons yearly

1/130

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From Saudi Arabia’s vast palm groves emerges a global heavyweight, where staggering production of over 1.6 million metric tons crowns the kingdom as the world's foremost supplier of dates.

Key Takeaways

Saudi Arabia produced 1,631,376 metric tons of dates in 2021, accounting for 17% of global production
The Al-Qassim region contributes 28% of Saudi Arabia's total date production with over 450,000 tons annually
Saudi date palm cultivation covers 333,000 hectares, with 33 million trees yielding an average of 50 kg per tree
Saudi Arabia exported 380,000 tons of dates in 2022 valued at SAR 2.8 billion
India imported 25% of Saudi date exports, totaling 95,000 tons in 2023
Date exports grew 15% YoY to 420,000 tons in 2023
Saudi Arabia has over 400 date varieties, with Sukkari leading at 20% of production
Ajwa dates, known for medicinal properties, cultivated on 10,000 ha in Medina
Medjool variety imported and now spans 15,000 ha yielding premium fruit
Saudi date industry employs 200,000 workers directly in harvesting and packing
Dates contribute SAR 6 billion to GDP, 2% of agri sector value
Export revenues from dates reached SAR 3.5 billion in 2023
Annual date consumption in Saudi Arabia is 45 kg per capita, highest globally
70% of production consumed domestically, totaling 1.2 million tons yearly
Ramadan boosts consumption by 40% to 200,000 tons in one month

Saudi Arabia leads global date production with substantial growth and exports.

Consumption

Annual date consumption in Saudi Arabia is 45 kg per capita, highest globally
70% of production consumed domestically, totaling 1.2 million tons yearly
Ramadan boosts consumption by 40% to 200,000 tons in one month
Date juice and paste products consumed 100,000 tons annually
Urban households consume 50 kg/capita vs 40 kg rural
School programs distribute 50 million date packs to students yearly
Supermarket sales of packaged dates SAR 1B annually
Health trends increase functional date products consumption 20% YoY
Hajj pilgrims consume 20,000 tons during pilgrimage season
Bakery inclusion: dates in 30% Saudi breads, 50,000 tons used
Online grocery sales of dates up 50% to 10,000 tons post-COVID
Women-led households prefer premium dates, 25% market share
Export leftovers 300,000 tons enter local markets cheaply
Date vinegar and pickles niche market 5,000 tons consumed
Nutrition programs recommend 100g daily, driving 15% rise
Festivals consume 30,000 tons in public events yearly
Chocolate-coated dates sales 8,000 tons, youth favorite
Import of foreign dates minimal at 5,000 tons for variety
Household storage surveys show 70% families stock dates year-round
Energy bar market uses 15,000 tons dates as binder
Per family consumption 200 kg/year average in date-producing regions
Vegan trends boost date syrup use to 20,000 tons domestic

Consumption Interpretation

With Ramadan spikes, school snacks, and a date in every third loaf of bread, Saudi Arabia doesn't just lead the world in date consumption—it has woven the fruit so deeply into its cultural and culinary fabric that the entire nation runs on a sweet, sticky, and remarkably nutritious timetable.

Economics

Saudi date industry employs 200,000 workers directly in harvesting and packing
Dates contribute SAR 6 billion to GDP, 2% of agri sector value
Export revenues from dates reached SAR 3.5 billion in 2023
1,500 date processing factories employ 50,000 with SAR 2B investment
Vision 2030 allocates SAR 1B for date industry modernization
Average farm income from dates SAR 500,000/ha for commercial ops
300,000 rural jobs sustained by date cultivation and trade
Date products market size SAR 10B including derivatives like syrups
Investment in cold storage chains SAR 800M boosting post-harvest value
SME date businesses number 5,000 generating SAR 1.5B revenue
Cost of production per ton SAR 3,000 with export price SAR 8,000
Tourism linked to date festivals adds SAR 500M yearly economic impact
Subsidies for date farmers SAR 200M annually for irrigation tech
Value-added products like date paste market SAR 1.2B exports
10% GDP growth in agri from dates, employing 5% workforce
Branding initiatives SAR 100M for "Saudi Dates" global campaign
Insurance schemes cover SAR 2B date crop losses yearly
E-commerce sales of dates SAR 300M via platforms like Noon
R&D funding SAR 150M for high-yield varieties economic boost
Export taxes nil, saving exporters SAR 400M annually
Cooperative societies 200 strong, managing SAR 4B in date trade
Halal certification adds 15% premium to economic value of exports
Domestic wholesale price SAR 5/kg average for 1.5M tons sold
FDI in date processing SAR 500M from UAE investors
Saudi per capita date income contribution SAR 150 from industry

Economics Interpretation

Saudi Arabia's date industry proves that sometimes the most fruitful investments aren't in Silicon Valley but in ancient palm oases, now employing a small city of workers, generating billions, and cleverly turning a timeless staple into a modern economic powerhouse with every drip of syrup and global marketing campaign.

Exports

Saudi Arabia exported 380,000 tons of dates in 2022 valued at SAR 2.8 billion
India imported 25% of Saudi date exports, totaling 95,000 tons in 2023
Date exports grew 15% YoY to 420,000 tons in 2023
UAE received 50,000 tons of Saudi dates worth SAR 400 million annually
Saudi dates reached 120 countries, with top market Pakistan at 60,000 tons
Export value hit SAR 3.2 billion in 2023 from 450,000 tons shipped
Europe imported 30,000 tons of premium Saudi dates like Ajwa in 2022
China market for Saudi dates expanded to 40,000 tons valued at SAR 300 million
Saudi date shipments to Malaysia reached 25,000 tons in 2023
70% of exports are high-quality varieties certified organic, totaling 300,000 tons
Jordan imports 15,000 tons yearly from Saudi, strengthening bilateral trade
Export packaging standards boosted overseas sales by 20% to 410,000 tons
USA imported 10,000 tons of Saudi Medjool dates in 2023 at premium prices
GCC countries take 40% of Saudi date exports at 160,000 tons annually
Russia market grew to 20,000 tons post-sanctions with Saudi suppliers
Vacuum-packed dates exports hit 100,000 tons for longer shelf life
Bangladesh imported 35,000 tons, second largest after India
Saudi exports include 80,000 tons of pitted dates to Middle East
2024 export target set at 500,000 tons under Vision 2030
Turkey received 12,000 tons valued at SAR 90 million in 2023
Organic date exports certified EU standards reached 25,000 tons
Logistics hubs in Jeddah handled 250,000 tons of date exports yearly
Africa market expanded to 50,000 tons including Egypt and Morocco
Premium gift packs exported 15,000 tons during Ramadan globally
Saudi dates hold 30% share in Indian market at 100,000 tons imported
Re-export from UAE of Saudi dates totals 20,000 tons annually
Digital platforms boosted B2B exports by 10% to 440,000 tons
UK imports 8,000 tons of Saudi dates via Halal certification
Over 400,000 tons exported in 2021, primary earner in fruits sector

Exports Interpretation

Saudi Arabia is proving that while money doesn't grow on trees, a shrewd strategy for marketing nature's candy certainly grows in the desert, with its date exports blossoming into a global empire sweetening everything from India's cravings to Europe's gourmet aisles and its own Vision 2030 ambitions.

Production

Saudi Arabia produced 1,631,376 metric tons of dates in 2021, accounting for 17% of global production
The Al-Qassim region contributes 28% of Saudi Arabia's total date production with over 450,000 tons annually
Saudi date palm cultivation covers 333,000 hectares, with 33 million trees yielding an average of 50 kg per tree
In 2022, date production in Saudi Arabia reached 1.8 million tons, up 5% from previous year due to improved irrigation
Riyadh region produces 320,000 tons of dates yearly, primarily from Medjool and Sukkari varieties
Saudi Arabia's date yield per hectare averages 4.9 tons, highest among top producers
Over 1.5 million tons of dates harvested in 2020 from 32 million palms
Eastern Province yields 250,000 tons annually, focusing on high-quality export varieties
Date production increased by 12% in Al-Madinah region to 180,000 tons in 2023
Saudi farms use modern tech boosting production to 60 kg/tree in optimized groves
Total irrigated date orchards span 340,000 ha with annual output exceeding 1.7 million tons
Hail region contributes 15% of national production at 270,000 tons per year
2023 production forecast at 1.9 million tons driven by new plantations
Average date bunch weight in Saudi groves is 8-10 kg, yielding 55 kg/tree
Saudi Arabia ranks 1st globally with 16-18% world share in date output
Makkah region produces 200,000 tons, emphasizing organic farming methods
Drip irrigation covers 90% of Saudi date farms, enhancing yield by 20%
35 million date palms planted, producing 1.6 million tons in 2019
Jazan area yields 50,000 tons from 500,000 trees annually
Production per farm averages 25 tons from 400 trees in commercial setups
Saudi date output value estimated at SAR 5 billion yearly from 1.75 million tons
Najran province contributes 8% or 140,000 tons to national production
High-density planting yields 7 tons/ha in advanced Saudi farms
2022 harvest season saw 1,720,000 tons processed across 12 regions
Tissue culture propagation increased productive trees by 10% to 36 million
Asir region produces 30,000 tons focusing on local varieties
National average productivity rose to 5.2 tons/ha in 2023
1.85 million tons projected for 2024 with climate-resilient varieties
Baha governorate yields 90,000 tons from mountainous orchards
Saudi Arabia's date production supports 40% of GCC supply at 1.65 million tons

Production Interpretation

Saudi Arabia's date industry is essentially a masterclass in agricultural might, demonstrating that with nearly a fifth of the world's dates hanging from 35 million meticulously irrigated palms, they've turned desert cultivation into a precise, high-yield science of sweet, strategic dominance.

Varieties

Saudi Arabia has over 400 date varieties, with Sukkari leading at 20% of production
Ajwa dates, known for medicinal properties, cultivated on 10,000 ha in Medina
Medjool variety imported and now spans 15,000 ha yielding premium fruit
Khalas variety occupies 25% of orchards, tolerant to salinity
33 million trees include 30 major commercial varieties like Deglet Nour
Safawi dates from Al-Qassim prized for softness, 5% of total acreage
Barhi variety harvested fresh or ripe, covers 8% of Saudi palms
Rotab stage preferred for 40 varieties, enhancing export quality
Hillawi dates unique to Hofuf, small but flavorful, 2,000 ha
Tissue-cultured varieties like Helwa planted on 5,000 ha recently
Lulu variety soft and brown, popular locally from 3 million trees
Quality grading: Grade A dates 70% moisture free, for 50 varieties
Red Globe Medjool grown in 20,000 trees experimentally high yield
Nahda variety resistant to bayoud disease, expanding cultivation
414 documented varieties, 60 commercially viable in Saudi markets
Mabroom dates from central regions, fibrous texture, 4% share
Organic certified varieties like Ajwa on 2,000 ha meet EU standards
Succary golden dates command SAR 50/kg premium price
Khudri variety semi-dry, exported widely from Eastern Province
Local heirloom varieties preserved in 500 gene banks nationwide
Burny variety large fruit size up to 60g, grown in Hail
Date quality index: TSS 70-80 Brix for top 20 varieties
Hybrid varieties like 1S x P9 yield 80 kg/tree tested in farms
Taifi rose-scented dates from Taif, rare 1,000 tons yearly

Varieties Interpretation

Saudi Arabia's date industry is a masterclass in agricultural alchemy, blending ancient heirloom varieties with modern science to cultivate a national treasure where every succulent fruit, from the medicinal Ajwa to the premium Sukkari, tells a story of diversity, resilience, and delicious ambition.

Sources & References

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