Riyadh: The National Center for Palms and Dates highlighted the importance of the date palm and dates sector in supporting the national economy through its contribution to GDP, as the value of Saudi date exports to a number of countries worldwide reached SAR1.938 billion, recording a 14.3% increase compared to 2024. This reinforces the sector's position as one of the most vital contributors to economic diversification in line with Saudi Vision 2030 targets.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the center noted that Saudi date exports to South Africa rose by 48% in 2025 compared to 2024, affirming the sector's expansion in one of the most promising markets on the African continent and opening wide investment opportunities for investors and Saudi date companies.

It pointed to the pivotal role of the Saudi date export empowerment and global market entry initiative in expanding the reach of Saudi dates and their processed products to more markets and establishing a global presence in a number of major retail markets around the world, yielding significant economic returns for investors.