Page 40 - AA 2025 Year Book Summary

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Fruits and Vegetables Market Analysis

The Saudi Arabia Fruits And Vegetables Market size is
estimated at USD 8.51 billion in 2025, and is expected to
reach USD 10.76 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.8% during
the forecast period (2025-2030).
The Saudi Arabian fruits and vegetables market is ex-
periencing significant transformation driven by the gov-
ernment’s ambitious food security initiatives and tech-
nological advancements in agriculture. The shift toward
greenhouse production has revolutionized the cultivation
landscape, enabling year-round production of various
crops despite challenging climatic conditions. The adop-
tion of modern farming techniques, including vertical
farming and controlled environment agriculture, has par-
ticularly benefited the production of crops like tomatoes, varieties. The implementation of precision agriculture
cucumbers, and peppers. This technological integration technologies, including smart irrigation systems and soil
has led to improved yield efficiency and quality of agri- monitoring devices, is helping optimize resource utiliza-
cultural products, with Jordan emerging as a key trading tion while maintaining production quality. These initiatives
partner, supplying approximately 69.5% of the country’s are complemented by strategic partnerships with interna-
cucumber imports. tional agricultural technology providers, fostering innova-
Consumer preferences in Saudi Arabia are increasingly tion in sustainable farming practices and supporting the
gravitating toward healthier dietary choices, influenced country’s long-term food security objectives.
by rising urbanization and greater health consciousness. Saudi Arabia Fruits and Vegetables Market Trends
The growing awareness about organic fruits and vegeta- Technological Integration and Modern Farming Prac-
bles and food origin has created a robust demand for lo- tices
cally grown fresh produce, despite their premium pricing The Saudi Arabian fruits and vegetables market is ex-
compared to imported alternatives. This shift is particularly periencing significant transformation through the integra-
evident in the dates segment, where consumption reached tion of advanced agricultural technologies and modern
approximately 1.37 million metric tons in 2021, highlight- farming practices. The government’s commitment to ag-
ing the strong domestic market for traditional and healthy ricultural innovation is evident through its January 2023
produce. The trend extends beyond dates to encompass announcement of a USD 1 billion investment specifically
a wider range of fruits and vegetables, with consumers targeted at boosting greenhouse produce. This substan-
showing increased interest in organic and pesticide-free tial investment, planned in cooperation with relevant au-
options. thorities and private sector companies, demonstrates the
The retail landscape for fruits and vegetables in Saudi country’s dedication to modernizing its agricultural sector
Arabia is undergoing substantial modernization, charac- through the implementation of cutting-edge technologies
terized by the expansion of supermarket chains and hy- and sustainable farming practices.
permarkets. These modern retail formats are implement- The adoption of drone technology has emerged as a
ing sophisticated supply chain management systems and revolutionary force in transforming traditional agricultural
quality control measures to ensure consistent product installations, particularly in protected houses. These ad-
quality and availability. The retail sector’s evolution has vanced systems are capable of creating detailed 3D maps
been accompanied by the emergence of online grocery for early soil analysis, facilitating precise seed planting
platforms and digital marketplaces, providing consumers planning, and collecting crucial data for managing plant
with convenient access to fresh food. Major retailers are in- irrigation and nitrogen levels in previously uncultivable
creasingly partnering with local farmers and international land. The economic impact of this technological integra-
suppliers to maintain a steady supply of both traditional tion is substantial, with drone seeding demonstrating an
and exotic agricultural produce. impressive 85% reduction in operational costs. Further-
Agricultural sustainability and water conservation have more, the success of these modern farming practices is
become central themes in Saudi Arabia’s fruit and veg- evidenced by the notable increase in tomato production,
etable sector development. The country is actively pro- which saw a more than 10% rise in 2022 compared to 2020,
moting water-efficient farming techniques and investing directly attributed to the development of greenhouse and
in research and development for drought-resistant crop vertical farming initiatives.
38 Arab Agriculture 2025