Seventh Edition of AlUla Dates Season Launches Next Week as Part of Khayrat AlUla

Riyadh: The Royal Commission for AlUla is set to inaugurate the seventh edition of the AlUla Dates Season next Friday, as part of the Khayrat AlUla Agricultural Season 2026-2027. This much-anticipated event will commence with a dates auction held during weekends until November 15 at Al Fursan Village, alongside the launch of the dates season at Al Manshiyah Farmers' Market, which will take place from September 18 to 27. According to Saudi Press Agency, the season is designed to support local farmers and broaden the marketing reach of their produce both within Saudi Arabia and internationally. It serves as a platform bringing together farmers, producers, and entrepreneurs with agricultural specialists, thereby enhancing the economic value of AlUla's agricultural products. The auction acts as an economic hub, linking AlUla's farmers with buyers, traders, and investors, thus broadening the scope for marketing local dates and opening wider trading channels. The AlUla Dates Season is a component of the Khayrat A lUla Agricultural Season, an initiative launched by the Royal Commission for AlUla in July. This umbrella event covers the region's agricultural seasons and events, including the Summer Fruits Season, the AlUla Dates Auction, and the Citrus, Bergamot, and Honey Season, highlighting the diversity of AlUla's agricultural production and its connection to the region's farming heritage. This year's auction will showcase a variety of AlUla dates such as Barni, Majdool, Halwa Hamra, Anbara, and Sifri, offering both bidding and direct sales options. This provides buyers and traders with the opportunity to explore local produce diversity and quality, while also expanding market access for farmers. The season promises an immersive experience that combines agriculture, heritage, and tourism, with activities for children and families that celebrate the importance of palm trees in Saudi heritage. Data from the previous edition underscore the auction's growing economic significance in AlUla's dates sector, with revenues reaching approximately SAR13.19 million in 2025. Over 2,250 tons of dates were traded, involving more than 1,600 farmers, marking a 48.7% increase in sales compared to the previous edition. AlUla boasts over 4.2 million palm trees across 16,484 hectares, with an annual date production of around 130,000 tons, emphasizing the palm tree's pivotal role in the region's agricultural landscape and farming heritage. In addition to its commercial function, the auction offers an opportunity for visitors to engage with AlUla's dates and their varieties, meet local farmers, and learn about their agricultural expertise, blending economic activity with the region's rich farming heritage. Through its agricultural programs and services, the Royal Commission for AlUla is committed to developing the agricultural sector, enhancing its sustainability and competitiveness through initiatives that empower farmers, promote sustainable farming practices, and improve production quality and efficiency. Efforts in fertilization and p est control have reached over 137,000 palm trees, and 500 farms have been certified under the Saudi Dates brand, bolstering production quality and market presence in alignment with AlUla's sustainable development goals and Saudi Vision 2030.