Saudi Arabia Achieves Milestone With First Global Standard For Fresh Dates Adoption

The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has adopted the first international standard for fresh dates, marking a significant achievement for Saudi Arabia in the food sector. This development occurred during the CAC's 48th session from November 10 to 14 at the FAO headquarters in Rome. The Kingdom co-chaired the working group responsible for this standard, as reported by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).

The adoption of this standard underscores Saudi Arabia's leadership in the global dates market, where it stands as the largest exporter. This milestone highlights its pivotal role in shaping international food standards. The SFDA plays an active part in enhancing these standards, enabling Saudi products to compete globally.

The newly adopted international standard aims to elevate the quality and safety of dates while facilitating their trade worldwide. By establishing unified specifications, it seeks to harmonise food standards among member states, thereby increasing trust in date trading across global markets.

This achievement results from collaboration between the SFDA and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Their joint efforts with national entities aim to bolster Saudi Arabia's international presence and support its economy by improving export efficiency and enhancing the global value of Saudi dates.

The SFDA emphasised that adopting this standard showcases Saudi Arabia's technical expertise in developing international standards. It is expected to boost the competitiveness of Saudi dates, expanding their reach globally and positively impacting non-oil exports.

This initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, which aim to establish the Kingdom as a global hub for date production and trade. By strengthening its position in this sector, Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil exports.

In conclusion, this milestone reflects not only Saudi Arabia's leadership in the dates sector but also its commitment to enhancing international food standards. The new standard is set to improve trade reliability and support economic growth through increased exports.

With inputs from SPA