Connect with Saudi Arabia’s Finest Dates Suppliers Through Expert Procurement, Licensing, and Trade Support
Saudi Arabia is globally renowned for its rich agricultural heritage, and at the heart of that legacy lies one of the world’s most iconic fruits—dates. As one of the top three producers and exporters of premium dates globally, Saudi Arabia’s date industry continues to expand with robust government support, advanced cultivation techniques, and international quality standards.
For global retailers, food brands, ingredient manufacturers, importers, and wholesale buyers, sourcing Saudi dates is a strategic move that offers product quality, supply consistency, and high consumer appeal. At The Saudi Gate, we make that journey seamless—whether you’re seeking bulk shipments, certified suppliers, custom packaging, or white-label partnerships.
We help you navigate sourcing, importation, and certification processes while offering full-service support across regulatory, logistics, and business setup in the Kingdom.
Contact us today and let us help you source premium Saudi dates with confidence and clarity.
Why Saudi Arabia Is the Global Hub for Date Sourcing
Saudi Arabia is not only one of the largest date producers in the world—it’s also home to some of the most sought-after premium varieties. From the legendary Ajwa of Madinah to the sweet, golden Sukkari of Qassim, Saudi dates are celebrated for their flavor, texture, and shelf life.
Key Market Facts:
- Over 1.5 million metric tons of dates produced annually
- More than 400 varieties of dates cultivated across the Kingdom
- Exported to over 110 countries, with rising demand in Asia, Europe, and North America
- Highly regulated and supported by Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA)
- Advanced cold-chain infrastructure for fresh and processed date logistics
With Vision 2030 prioritizing non-oil exports and agri-tech innovation, the Kingdom is doubling down on the strategic growth of its dates sector. This presents a timely opportunity for international buyers and corporate food manufacturers to form long-term sourcing relationships with Saudi producers.
The Saudi Gate: Your Strategic Sourcing Partner
Sourcing premium dates from Saudi Arabia is more than a commercial transaction—it’s a gateway to establishing a sustainable supply chain, forming trusted regional partnerships, and tapping into government incentives that facilitate foreign trade.
The Saudi Gate acts as your trusted in-market partner, providing:
- Verified supplier matching and sourcing strategy
- Product sampling and quality validation
- SFDA and customs documentation support
- Commercial registration and authorized representative services
- Importer of Record (IOR) & Exporter of Records (EOR) services for logistics and customs
- B2B negotiations, agreements, and quality assurance
- Export certification and SABER registration assistance
Popular Saudi Date Varieties Available for Export
Saudi Arabia produces a wide spectrum of dates, ranging from fresh, semi-dry to dry, and processed forms like date paste, syrup, bars, and blocks. Here are the varieties we frequently source and export for clients:
| Variety | Origin | Texture & Taste | Commercial Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajwa | Madinah | Soft, mildly sweet | Gifting, luxury retail |
| Sukkari | Qassim | Rich, honeyed | Table fruit, snack packs |
| Khalas | Al Ahsa | Caramel-sweet | Date paste, energy bars |
| Barhi | Central | Juicy, fresh | Seasonal sales, fresh export |
| Safawi | Madinah | Semi-dry, chewy | Long shelf-life products |
| Segai | Riyadh | Two-texture blend | Boutique packs |
The Saudi Gate works directly with certified farms, cooperatives, and agro-processors to ensure product traceability, consistent grading, and alignment with international food safety standards.
Our Comprehensive Dates Sourcing Services
Whether you’re sourcing raw materials, ready-to-retail packs, or customized date-based products, The Saudi Gate supports your procurement journey from end to end.
1. Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Selection
- Evaluation of your product and packaging requirements
- Identification and vetting of reliable farms and processors
- In-person supplier audits, sampling, and lab testing
- Long-term procurement agreements with performance clauses
2. Product Grading, Packaging, and Labeling
- Ensuring compliance with SASO labeling and SFDA food safety requirements
- Organizing product grading by size, moisture content, and packaging format
- White-label, private-label, and branded product development
- Arabic/English bilingual labeling, barcoding, and allergen declarations
3. Import & Export Documentation
- Ensuring SABER platform registration and Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
- HS Code verification and ZATCA customs documentation
- SFDA import permits and export clearance certificates
- Organic, Halal, and ISO certifications where applicable
4. Logistics and Cold Chain Coordination
- Sourcing shipping-ready dates with extended shelf life
- Connecting you with export packaging and freight forwarders
- End-to-end logistics support including temperature-controlled containers
- Delivery to sea ports (Jeddah, Dammam) or air freight via Riyadh/Jeddah airports
Sourcing Formats We Support
We support a wide range of date product formats based on your business needs:
| Format | Ideal For |
|---|---|
| Bulk whole dates | Industrial processors, wholesalers |
| Vacuum-packed dates | Retail distribution |
| Pitted & filled dates | Confectionery, specialty snacks |
| Date paste & syrup | Baking, energy bars, sauces |
| Organic dates | Health food retailers |
| Customized packaging | Gifting, private label |
Who We Work With
Our clients span industries and geographies, including:
- Retail grocery chains seeking private-label date snacks
- Food manufacturers using date syrup or paste as natural sweeteners
- Health food distributors launching organic and vegan product lines
- Bulk commodity traders exporting to Asia, Europe, and Africa
- Wholesalers supplying ethnic grocery stores or Halal markets
Whether you’re placing quarterly recurring orders or launching a new product line, we adapt our support model to your business objectives.
Benefits of Sourcing Through The Saudi Gate
Why should you partner with us for your Saudi date procurement?
| Advantage | How It Helps You |
|---|---|
| Local Presence | On-ground team verifying farms and handling documentation |
| Regulatory Expertise | Deep knowledge of SFDA, SASO, SABER, and customs |
| End-to-End Service | From negotiation to delivery at your port or warehouse |
| Trusted Network | Access to certified, government-registered date suppliers |
| Cost Optimization | Transparent pricing and freight coordination |
| Customization | Private labeling, co-branding, packaging design |
Vision 2030 and Government Support for the Date Sector
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 recognizes the agriculture and food processing sector as a vital part of its non-oil economic diversification strategy. Several initiatives directly support foreign sourcing and trade:
- Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA) offers export documentation, matchmaking, and trade missions
- National Center for Palms and Dates (NCPD) sets quality benchmarks and supplier certifications
- Made in Saudi branding initiative for packaged dates
- Subsidies for export freight, packaging, and branding to encourage global trade
The Saudi Gate helps you leverage these initiatives by registering you with relevant platforms and connecting you with compliant, government-supported suppliers
Regulatory Bodies Involved in Sourcing Saudi Dates
To ensure a compliant sourcing operation, The Saudi Gate guides clients through all key regulatory agencies:
| Authority | Function |
|---|---|
| SFDA | Food safety and labeling compliance |
| SASO / SABER | Product conformity, barcodes, and packaging rules |
| MISA | Investment licensing if local operations are needed |
| ZATCA | Customs clearance and duty management |
| NCPD | Supplier registry and date quality standards |
We ensure full compliance at every stage of your procurement and import process.
Private Label and Custom Product Development
Looking to launch your own branded dates? The Saudi Gate offers support for:
- Product design and prototyping
- Co-manufacturing and bottling partners
- Design of packaging for international retail compliance
- Retail barcode generation and nutritional labeling
You’ll benefit from local expertise, cost-effective production, and premium-grade dates, all under your own brand.
Ready to Source Premium Saudi Dates?
Saudi Arabia offers everything the global buyer is looking for in date sourcing: product quality, regulatory clarity, logistics efficiency, and supplier consistency. Whether you’re sourcing for large-scale food production, retail distribution, or health food innovation, now is the perfect time to build your date supply chain in the Kingdom.
The Saudi Gate is here to make that happen—efficiently, legally, and profitably.