The National Center for Palms and Dates has officially launched the early date harvest season campaign, coinciding with the start of the first fresh harvest in Saudi Arabia. The initiative highlights the seasonal calendar of early and mid-season dates across various regions, supports marketing efforts, enhances economic value, and increases the contribution to the national economy.
Campaign Aims and Scope
According to the center, the campaign aims to meet the growing demand for local dates during the early season, connect markets with available varieties, and support agricultural tourism. These efforts are expected to boost market value and related economic activity. Ahmed Al-Ayada, the center’s acting director general, stated that the campaign raises awareness of harvest timings and regions, promotes Saudi date varieties, and encourages local consumption in support of farmers and trade.
Season Timeline and Key Varieties
The early date season runs from late May to September across nine key regions: Riyadh, Al-Ahsa, Madinah, Qassim, Al-Kharj, Qatif, Hail, and Jouf. Key varieties include sukkari, sagai, ruthana, barhi, and khalas. These dates are highly sought after both locally and internationally.
Economic Impact and Support
Markets in Najran are seeing increased activity with the arrival of early harvests, supporting farmers and meeting local demand. The harvest is generating economic benefits for retailers, traders, and workers in packaging and transport, while also creating seasonal employment opportunities. The campaign coincides with ongoing technical support from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to improve production efficiency, enhance crop quality, and combat pests.
