The Royal Commission for AlUla will launch the seventh edition of the AlUla Dates Season on Friday, September 18, 2026, as part of the Khayrat AlUla Agricultural Season 2026–2027. The season will open with the dates auction, running over weekends until November 15 at Al Fursan Village, alongside the opening of the dates season at the Al Manshiyah Farmers’ Market, which will run from September 18 to 27. This initiative underscores AlUla’s growing role as a hub for agricultural excellence and cultural heritage, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification and sustainable development.
Context and Background
The AlUla Dates Season is a key component of the Khayrat AlUla Agricultural Season, launched by the Royal Commission for AlUla in July 2026 as an umbrella for the region’s agricultural seasons and events. This broader initiative includes 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 deep ties to the region’s heritage and generations of farming expertise.
AlUla, renowned for its stunning landscapes and historical significance, is also home to more than 4.2 million palm trees spanning 16,484 hectares, with annual date production reaching approximately 130,000 tons. The palm tree holds a cherished place in Saudi culture, symbolizing generosity and resilience, and the Dates Season serves as a vibrant celebration of this legacy. The event not only supports local farmers but also expands the marketing of their produce both within Saudi Arabia and internationally, through a platform that brings together farmers, producers, and entrepreneurs with agricultural specialists, thereby enhancing the economic value of AlUla’s agricultural products.
Key Details
The seventh edition of the AlUla Dates Season will feature a wide range of date varieties, including Barni, Majdool, Halwa Hamra, Anbara, and Sifri. The auction, a central highlight, will offer both bidding and direct sales, giving buyers and traders the chance to explore the diversity and quality of local produce while expanding farmers’ access to markets. The Al Manshiyah Farmers’ Market will provide an additional venue for direct sales from September 18 to 27, further promoting local produce.
Results from the previous edition reflect the auction’s growing economic role in AlUla’s dates sector: revenues reached approximately SAR13.19 million in 2025, with more than 2,250 tons of dates traded and over 1,600 farmers taking part, marking a 48.7% growth in sales compared with the previous edition. This impressive growth demonstrates the increasing demand for AlUla’s premium dates and the effectiveness of the Commission’s efforts to empower farmers and enhance production quality.
Beyond its commercial role, the auction offers visitors an immersive experience combining agriculture, heritage, and tourism, alongside activities for children and families that highlight the role of palm trees in Saudi heritage. Through its agricultural programs and services, the Royal Commission for AlUla continues to develop the agricultural sector and strengthen its sustainability and competitiveness through initiatives that empower farmers, promote sustainable farming practices, and improve production quality and efficiency. Fertilization and pest control efforts have covered more than 137,000 palm trees, and 500 farms have been certified under the Saudi Dates brand, contributing to improved production quality and a stronger presence for AlUla dates in local and regional markets.
Implications and Impact
The AlUla Dates Season has significant economic and cultural implications for the region and beyond. Economically, it provides a vital platform for local farmers to connect with buyers, traders, and investors, thereby increasing their income and stimulating the local economy. The auction’s growth trajectory—with a 48.7% increase in sales—signals robust demand for AlUla’s dates, which are prized for their quality and variety. This success not only benefits farmers but also attracts investment and tourism to the region, creating a multiplier effect.
Culturally, the season reinforces the importance of palm trees in Saudi heritage, offering visitors a chance to engage with traditional farming practices and learn about the generations of expertise that have shaped AlUla’s agricultural landscape. By integrating agriculture with tourism, the event enhances AlUla’s appeal as a destination, complementing its renowned archaeological sites like Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.
On the international stage, the AlUla Dates Season helps position Saudi dates in global markets. The certification of farms under the Saudi Dates brand ensures adherence to high-quality standards, making AlUla dates competitive internationally. This aligns with Vision 2030’s objective to diversify the economy and boost non-oil exports, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s agricultural potential to the world.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The AlUla Dates Season exemplifies the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious roadmap for economic diversification and sustainable development. By empowering local farmers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and enhancing the economic value of local produce, the initiative contributes to a thriving rural economy and preserves cultural heritage. Moreover, it supports the growth of tourism in AlUla, a key pillar of the Vision’s plan to increase the sector’s contribution to the GDP. As the Royal Commission for AlUla continues to develop the agricultural sector, the Dates Season stands as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the celebration of its rich heritage, paving the way for a prosperous future.
20 Questions
Q1. What is the AlUla Dates Season?
A1. The AlUla Dates Season is an annual event organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla to promote local date production, support farmers, and celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage. It includes auctions, markets, and cultural activities.
Q2. When does the seventh edition of the AlUla Dates Season start?
A2. The seventh edition starts on Friday, September 18, 2026, with the dates auction running over weekends until November 15 at Al Fursan Village, and the Al Manshiyah Farmers’ Market from September 18 to 27.
Q3. Where is the AlUla Dates Season held?
A3. The main events take place at Al Fursan Village and the Al Manshiyah Farmers’ Market in AlUla, a region in northwestern Saudi Arabia known for its archaeological and agricultural significance.
Q4. What is Khayrat AlUla Agricultural Season?
A4. Khayrat AlUla Agricultural Season is a comprehensive initiative launched by the Royal Commission for AlUla in July 2026 to showcase the region’s agricultural diversity, including the Summer Fruits Season, the AlUla Dates Auction, and the Citrus, Bergamot and Honey Season.
Q5. What date varieties are featured in the auction?
A5. The auction features a wide range of AlUla date varieties, including Barni, Majdool, Halwa Hamra, Anbara, and Sifri, offering buyers and traders a chance to explore the region’s premium produce.
Q6. How many palm trees are there in AlUla?
A6. AlUla is home to more than 4.2 million palm trees spanning 16,484 hectares, with an annual date production of approximately 130,000 tons, underscoring the region’s agricultural richness.
Q7. What were the revenues from the previous edition?
A7. The previous edition in 2025 generated revenues of approximately SAR13.19 million, with more than 2,250 tons of dates traded and over 1,600 farmers participating, marking a 48.7% growth in sales.
Q8. How does the season support local farmers?
A8. The season supports local farmers by providing a platform to market their produce, connecting them with buyers, traders, and investors, and offering training and resources to enhance production quality and efficiency.
Q9. What is the role of the Royal Commission for AlUla?
A9. The Royal Commission for AlUla is responsible for the comprehensive development of AlUla, including agricultural initiatives, heritage preservation, and tourism promotion, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Q10. What certification have some farms received?
A10. Five hundred farms have been certified under the Saudi Dates brand, which ensures high-quality standards and enhances the market presence of AlUla dates locally and regionally.
Q11. How many palm trees have been covered by fertilization and pest control efforts?
A11. Fertilization and pest control efforts have covered more than 137,000 palm trees, contributing to improved production quality and sustainability.
Q12. What economic impact does the season have?
A12. The season boosts the local economy by increasing farmers’ income, attracting investment, and creating opportunities for traders and entrepreneurs, while also promoting tourism in the region.
Q13. Can visitors participate in the season?
A13. Yes, visitors can enjoy an immersive experience combining agriculture, heritage, and tourism, including activities for children and families that highlight the cultural significance of palm trees.
Q14. What is the significance of the palm tree in Saudi heritage?
A14. The palm tree is a symbol of generosity, resilience, and cultural identity in Saudi Arabia, playing a central role in the region’s history and traditions, and is celebrated during the AlUla Dates Season.
Q15. How does the season align with Saudi Vision 2030?
A15. The season supports Vision 2030 by diversifying the economy, empowering local farmers, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing tourism, contributing to the Kingdom’s long-term prosperity.
Q16. What is the Al Manshiyah Farmers’ Market?
A16. The Al Manshiyah Farmers’ Market is a venue within the AlUla Dates Season where local farmers sell their produce directly to consumers, running from September 18 to 27.
Q17. How has the auction grown over the years?
A17. The auction has shown significant growth, with a 48.7% increase in sales in 2025 compared to the previous edition, reflecting rising demand and the effectiveness of marketing efforts.
Q18. What types of activities are available for families?
A18. Families can enjoy educational and cultural activities that highlight the role of palm trees in Saudi heritage, including interactive experiences and children’s programs, making the season a fun and informative outing.
Q19. How does the season promote sustainable farming?
A19. The season promotes sustainable farming through initiatives that empower farmers, encourage environmentally friendly practices, and improve production quality and efficiency, ensuring long-term agricultural viability.
Q20. What is the international significance of AlUla dates?
A20. AlUla dates are gaining international recognition for their quality and variety, with certification under the Saudi Dates brand helping to expand exports and showcase Saudi Arabia’s agricultural excellence globally
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