RIYADH: The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program, otherwise known as Saudi Reef, has reported that the Kingdom’s rose sector is experiencing strong growth with annual production increasing by over 15 percent alongside rising global demand.
The sector generates significant economic returns for small-scale farmers in Taif Governorate, in which 700 hectares of rose farms across about 1,300 properties produce around 500 million roses annually, supported by 36 perfume factories valued at SR52 million ($14 million).
Saudi Reef has supported the sector through technical guidance, project financing, marketing assistance, and the establishment of the Rose Producers Association in Taif.
The program also cooperates with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on sector development initiatives, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Taif’s ideal climate enables more than 20 types of aromatic plants, requiring little water and incurring low cultivation costs.
Global demand for roses is growing by 10-15 percent annually, driven by expanding uses in perfumes, medicine, and beverages, the SPA added.
However, the sector faces challenges, including limited scientific research on plant strain development and a shortage of active agricultural cooperatives to support small-scale producers.
