The Royal Commission for AlUla's dates auction witnessed a significant surge in revenue, solidifying the region's standing as a prominent agricultural center in Saudi Arabia and internationally.

This year's event, part of the AlUla Dates Festival, reported a 48% increase in sales compared to last season, with over 2,000 tonnes sold and revenues exceeding SR13 million ($3.4 million).

More than 1,600 farmers participated, alongside notable interest from traders and investors, as per the Saudi Press Agency's report on Tuesday.

The auction underscores the exceptional quality of AlUla's agricultural products and the expanding marketing ecosystem.

It also showcases the commission's dedication to supporting local farmers, enhancing product competitiveness, and broadening market reach both domestically and abroad.

The festival, which runs until November 15, pays tribute to the date palm as a symbol of the region's rich agricultural heritage.

AlUla, one of Saudi Arabia's largest date-producing regions, encompasses more than 15,000 hectares of palm farms, supporting approximately 4.1 million trees that yield annually around 170,000 tonnes of dates.

The harvest season spans from August 15 to October 30, with the highly esteemed Barni dates making up approximately 80% of the total production.