Saudi Arabia Joins Forces With Alibaba To Market Dates Internationally

A delegation from the National Center for Palms and Dates recently visited Alibaba Group Holding's headquarters in China. The visit aimed to establish a partnership that would enable 23 Saudi date companies to utilise Alibaba’s e-commerce platform to market Saudi dates in international markets.

During the visit, a forum showcased companies from both Saudi Arabia and China, facilitating discussions to boost trade exchanges. Agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed to enhance Saudi date exports. This working visit is part of the ongoing collaboration between Saudi date companies and Alibaba Group, following an agreement signed in Riyadh last December.

Notably, there was a 120% increase in Saudi's date exports to China over the past year. The Kingdom exported dates worth SAR 644 million in the first quarter of 2024, marking a 13.7% rise compared to the corresponding period last year, when exports amounted to SAR 566 million.

Saudi Arabia exports dates to numerous countries, with some experiencing over 100% growth. These countries include Austria, Norway, Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, and Canada. Exports also grew by 69% to Morocco, 61% to Indonesia, 41% to South Korea, 33% to the UK, 29% to the US, and 16% to Malaysia.

Saudi Arabia boasts over 36 million palm trees and an annual date production exceeding 1.6 million tons, securing its top rank in date exports. The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture seeks to improve the quality of farm products by applying good agricultural practices and adopting quality standards in factories.

The collaboration with Alibaba Group is expected to further bolster Saudi Arabia's position in the global date market. By leveraging Alibaba’s extensive e-commerce platform, Saudi date companies can reach a wider international audience.

This partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader economic goals of diversifying its export markets and enhancing the global presence of its agricultural products. The agreements signed during this visit are anticipated to pave the way for increased trade exchanges and stronger economic ties between Saudi Arabia and China.

With inputs from SPA