Riyadh: Known for its diverse crops that enhance Ramadan Iftar and Suhoor tables, AlUla offers residents and visitors fresh agricultural products from its unique environment, reflecting a deep human connection to the land.
According to Saudi Press Agency, AlBarni, Halwa, and Ajwa dates are major crops in AlUla, known for their high quality. Dates are essential for starting Ramadan Iftar in accordance with the Prophet's Sunnah and are a key ingredient in many traditional Ramadan recipes and sweets.
Along with dates, AlUla produces seasonal fruits such as oranges, lemons, pomegranates, figs, and grapes, which refresh Suhoor meals and provide vitamins and minerals for fasting individuals. These crops also support local marketplaces and communities throughout the holy month.
Ramadan salads and recipes that promote a healthy fasting diet include fresh vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers from sustainable agriculture. Many AlUla farms use sophisticated irrigation systems to provide sustainable production and year-round access to high-quality agricultural goods.
Farmers in AlUla take advantage of the fertile soil and ideal environment to grow crops that meet the requirements of inhabitants and visitors, especially during Ramadan, when the demand for fresh and nutritious food surges.
According to 2024 figures from the agriculture sector of the Royal Commission for AlUla, the governorate produces 127,000 tons of fruit on more than 18,000 hectares. Fodder spans over 2,000 hectares with a production of more than 40,000 tons, while grain output exceeds 800 tons on over 200 hectares.
Winter vegetable cultivation covers 60 hectares, yielding approximately 1,565 tons annually. Summer vegetables are grown on 101 hectares, producing around 2,150 tons each year, while protected vegetable fields cover 25 hectares and produce about 1,500 tons annually.
AlUla's agricultural abundance consistently provides fresh, natural products that enrich life, fill Ramadan tables with unique flavors, and highlight the deep human connection to its land and rich history.