Saudi exports of dates increased 5.4 percent in 2022 over the previous year, to reach SR1.280 billion, according to the National Centre for Palms and Dates (NCPD). The new figure was released following the center’s participation in the “MacFrut” exhibition of fruits and vegetables, held on May 3-5, 2023, in the Italian city of Rimini. More than 38,000 visitors from all over the world attended the exhibition where 830 entities had produce on display. The exhibition receives wide attention, making it a destination for major international companies dealing in vegetables and fruits. The center participates in the "MacFrut" exhibition and is keen to build partnerships with similar bodies. It participates in specialized local and international events to build partnerships with similar entities from the Kingdom or abroad, to enhance the contribution of the dates sector to the GDP, thus boosting non-oil revenues, and to generally increase exports. The center is implementing several initiatives, including increasing national exports of dates, raising local consumption rates, improving agricultural and industrial practices for better quality and a more productive sector. It is also providing support and subsidies to farmers, offering marketing services and necessary information about the date sector, and strengthening its local and international relations. — SPA