Saudi Arabia declares date exports surge in 2023 amid Chinese market expansion
Saudi Arabia's date exports have grown significantly, according to data from the National Centre for Palms and Dates (NCPD).
Saudi date exports totaled SR1.462 billion ($398 million) in 2023, up 14 percent from the previous year's SR1.28 billion ($341 million). This development trend reflects a broader upward trajectory in the export of dates and date byproducts, which has increased by a stunning 152.5 percent since 2016.
The expansion of Saudi date exports has been facilitated by collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including leadership, date producers, exporters, and public-sector agencies. These efforts encompass a range of activities, such as participation in local and international exhibitions, organizing business missions, streamlining export procedures, and fostering partnerships with the private sector. Dr. Mohammed Alnuwairan, the Chief Executive of NCPD, attributes this success to the concerted efforts made under a unified strategy aimed at supporting and promoting date exports.
Notably, there have been notable advancements in the manufacture and quality of processed date goods, along with strong domestic and worldwide marketing campaigns. The aforementioned activities are designed to fortify Saudi dates' standing in international markets and augment their competitiveness.
The increase in exports to important countries, including Singapore, Korea, China, France, and Singapore, highlights the rising demand for Saudi dates globally. In 2023, exports to China increased by an astounding 121 percent over the previous year, while exports to France increased by 16 percent. Comparably, date imports from Saudi Arabia increased significantly in Singapore and Korea, growing at rates of 24% and 86%, respectively.
To enhance the global reputation of Saudi Arabia, the NCPD has established ambitious objectives in collaboration with the private sector. These goals include boosting domestic exports, enhancing agricultural and industrial methods to ensure product excellence, providing crucial marketing support and industry insights, and implementing supportive measures to strengthen the date sector.
All things considered, Saudi Arabia's strong increase in date exports is indicative of its dedication to using its agricultural resources to their fullest and taking advantage of international markets.
