Saudi Arabia is set to highlight its growing date industry as the guest of honor at the Fancy Food Show in New York City later this month. The event, which takes place twice annually, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and ranks among the largest food exhibitions in North America.
Representation and Showcase
The Kingdom will be represented by the National Center for Palms and Dates, along with selected producers, who will display premium date varieties and related products. The goal is to increase their visibility in global markets. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the center noted that the show provides a global platform for the industry, offering opportunities for networking, product launches, knowledge exchange, and exposure to new technologies.
Saudi Date Industry Statistics
Saudi Arabia boasts over 37 million palm trees, and its dates are exported to 125 countries under the unified Saudi Date brand. The products are available in more than 1,500 retail outlets worldwide. A recent report from the center revealed that the Kingdom produced 1.9 million tonnes of dates last year, with the value of date exports reaching nearly SR2 billion ($533 million).
Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Alfadley stated that the New York food show represents a strategic opportunity to support Saudi date producers, raise awareness of their products, and boost exports. The event is scheduled from June 28 to 30 and is expected to host more than 2,400 exhibitors from 50 countries.
