RIYADH: A considerable increase in revenue from the Royal Commission for AlUla’s dates auction has reaffirmed the region’s position as a leading agricultural hub in Saudi Arabia and globally.

This year’s auction, part of the AlUla Dates Festival, recorded a 48 percent rise in sales over last season, with more than 2,000 tonnes sold and revenues exceeding SR13 million ($3.4 million).

More than 1,600 farmers took part, alongside strong interest from traders and investors, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The auction reflects the high quality of AlUla’s agricultural output and the continued growth of its marketing ecosystem.

It also highlights the commission’s efforts to support farmers, enhance product competitiveness, and expand market reach locally and internationally, the SPA reported.

The festival, running until Nov. 15, celebrates the date palm as a symbol of the region’s agricultural heritage.

AlUla, one of the Kingdom’s largest date-producing regions, spans more than 15,000 hectares of palm farms, with 4.1 million trees yielding 170,000 tonnes annually.

The harvest season runs from Aug. 15 to Oct. 30, with Barni dates — the region’s most famous variety — making up 80 percent of production.