By Abdullahi Lukman
The National Center for Palms and Dates has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the global date sector at the 13th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ), where the Kingdom is participating as guest of honour.
The exhibition, holding at Katara Cultural Village until Feb. 16, features Saudi companies specialising in date production and processing, showcasing products and competitive strengths in both domestic and international markets.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom produces more than 1.9 million tonnes of dates annually.
The centre’s pavilion demonstrated how date-processing industries contribute to food security and increase agriculture’s share of the national economy.
Saudi date varieties and value-added products on display drew interest from international investors and firms seeking technology partnerships.mThe Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, known as Saudi Reef, is also participating to promote national agricultural products and support smallholder farmers and rural families.
Its pavilion showcases achievements in empowering beneficiaries and enhancing sustainable production, with products such as honey, coffee and dates reflecting the diversity of local output.m
Saudi Reef spokesperson Majed Al-Buraikan said the programme’s participation aims to strengthen the presence of Saudi products in regional and global markets, develop agricultural value chains, open new markets and expand partnerships across Gulf Cooperation Council states.
Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli attended the opening alongside Qatar’s Minister of Municipality Abdullah Al-Attiya and other officials, underscoring bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food security.
The Saudi delegation emphasised the Kingdom’s progress in food self-sufficiency, reporting rates of 118 per cent for dates, 101 per cent for eggs, 78 per cent for vegetables, 69 per cent for poultry and 61.5 per cent for fish, reflecting growth in domestic production and reduced reliance on imports.
Saudi Arabia also outlined incentives for investors in modern agricultural technologies, including land allocation, financing through the Agricultural Development Fund, streamlined licensing and technical support.
To enhance product quality and safety, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture introduced four national food quality labels — Organic, SAMAQ, Saudi Dates Mark and Saudi G.A.P. — aimed at raising market value, supporting exports and ensuring trusted standards for classification and safety.
