KSA’s Date palm oasis Al-Ahsa is stirring up a fresh wave of growth and economic flair thanks to the huge commercial success of its Saram Al-Ahsa 2024 date auction in KSA.
The Saram Al-Ahsa 2024 season, held under the patronage of Al-Ahsa Governor Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr and co-organized by Al-Ahsa Municipality’s secretary general, Ibraheem Alshekmubarak, and the Saudi National Centre for Palm and Dates, attracted investors, agricultural entrepreneurs, and food companies from across the Gulf.
This event underscored Al-Ahsa’s prominence in the date market and strengthened its role in Saudi Arabia’s agricultural economy, in line with KSA’s Vision 2030’s goals.
With sales exceeding 30 million Saudi Riyals and the auction showcasing 3.6 million kilograms (3,600 tons) of dates from 12 varieties, the event set a new milestone in Al-Ahsa’s evolution as a regional powerhouse for dates.
Over 3,860 supply contracts were signed, affirming the high commercial demand for Al-Ahsa’s dates and their appeal in local and Gulf markets.
This achievement comes on the heels of a remarkable national milestone set by Al-Ahsa’s Centre for Palms and Dates, which recently earned a Guinness World Record for housing the largest collection of genetically original date palms globally.
The centre maintains a genetic bank of over 127 species, both national and international, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.
According to the Director of the Centre Khalid Al-Husseini, the centre works on developing a database for date palms and preserving them from extinction, as well as facilitating studies and physiological and morphological research on these kinds and their conformity to local climate conditions.
“Our achievement supports Vision 2030’s goals by advancing scientific research in the agricultural sector” says Al-Husseini.
Throughout the 45-day “Saram Al-Ahsa” season, which drew over 350,000 visitors, the festival served as a showcase for the quality and versatility of Saudi dates.
The event included 148 activities and 13 educational workshops, featuring the latest innovations in date farming, packaging, and preservation, making Al-Ahsa a prime destination for date-related investments.
Its proximity to Gulf markets, including Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait, also facilitates easy access for regional investors.
The momentum of the auction season aligns with other recent initiatives supporting Al-Ahsa’s growth. On May 12, the Kingdom established the Al-Ahsa Development Authority, headed by Prince Ahmed bin Fahd bin Salman, deputy governor of the Eastern Province.
This authority aims to foster a balanced development environment that enhances Al-Ahsa’s tourism, cultural, and heritage sectors.
“The decision reflects the leadership’s keenness to invest in the comparative advantage of Al-Ahsa and to utilise it in economic projects that will align with Vision 2030,” says Alshekmubarak .
With these combined efforts, Al-Ahsa is emerging as a hub of agricultural innovation and tourism, marrying its rich date-farming heritage with a vision for modernization and economic growth.
Recognized by UNESCO in 2018 as part of the Creative Cities Network, Al-Ahsa’s deep-rooted history in handicrafts, weaving, pottery, and cultural arts enriches its development potential.
Through these initiatives, Al-Ahsa aims at transforming its date industry into a global economic asset, blending tradition with strategic investments that benefit local farmers and elevate the region’s profile in Gulf and international markets.
