Saudi Arabia Agriculture - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

Key Highlights

• The Saudi Arabian agricultural market is experiencing significant transformation, driven by government initiatives, technological advancements, and evolving consumer preferences. Key factors driving market growth include government efforts to ensure food security, a shift toward greenhouse production, and increased adoption of high-tech farming practices. In 2023, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture allocated USD 104.7 billion for 3,300 water projects, facilitating agricultural development by introducing advanced farming technologies to the country.
• The country's favorable climate conditions enable high-volume date cultivation, creating increased export opportunities and driving market growth. Fruits constitute the largest market share in Saudi Arabian agricultural production, with locally grown varieties being prevalent. Common fruits produced in the country include dates, grapes, watermelon, figs, peaches, mangoes, and papaya. Among these, dates are a crucial economic crop and are extensively cultivated in Saudi Arabia. According to the International Trade Centre, Saudi Arabia led global date exports in 2022, with a value of USD 341.5 million and a volume of 321.1 thousand metric tons.
• Greenhouse farming is expanding rapidly in Saudi Arabia. The country's arid climate and limited water resources make greenhouse cultivation a viable option for producing high-value crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries. As of 2023, the protected vegetable cultivation area in the country spans 6,096 hectares, with projections indicating growth during the forecast period due to its ability to increase yield per hectare compared to traditional farming methods.

Saudi Arabia Agriculture Market Trends

Fruit Segment Leads Saudi Arabian Agriculture Market Growth

• The Fruit Segment dominated the Saudi Arabian agriculture market, driven by government initiatives, technological advancements, and increasing consumer demand. The Saudi government implemented policies and programs to diversify the agricultural sector and reduce reliance on imports. In July 2024, the Saudi Ministry of Environment launched the Al-Janabeen Dam, covering 4.6 million square metres, specializing in palm trees, fruit trees, and other fruit crops.
• Consumer preferences have significantly influenced the growth of fruit production in Saudi Arabia. Rising health consciousness has led to increased demand for fresh, nutritious fruits. Fruit production in the country increased by about 2.0% between 2021 and 2022, reaching 2.8 million metric tons. This growth is primarily attributed to an expansion in the overall harvested area of fruits, which increased from 210.2 thousand hectares in 2021 to 215.9 thousand hectares in 2022. This trend has created a favorable market for domestic fruit producers, who are meeting the growing demand by offering a diverse range of high-quality products.

Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Leader in Date Production and Export

• Saudi Arabia's date industry thrives due to the country's favorable climate, supporting both domestic consumption and significant export opportunities. In 2022, Saudi Arabia became the world's leading date exporter, according to the International Trade Centre, underscoring its strong position in the global date trade.
• In 2023, Saudi Arabia's date export value reached USD 390.1 million, as reported by the UN Comtrade database. The country produces over 300 types of dates and has achieved the highest annual growth rate in date exports over the past five years, reaching 113 countries. The Kingdom's date production has seen substantial development, employing modern technologies and maintaining high-quality standards, contributing to increased global exports.
• Saudi Vision 2030 recognizes the importance of the palm and date sector, which contributes nearly 12% to the agricultural gross product and 0.4% to the non-oil gross product. The government's focus on this sector, combined with increasing date exports, is projected to drive further growth in Saudi Arabia's agricultural market. This development aligns with the country's goals of economic diversification and enhancing its global trade presence.

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