National Center for Palms and Dates

What National Center for Palms and Dates does

The National Center for Palms and Dates (NCPD, المركز الوطني للنخيل والتمور) is a Saudi government entity established by Council of Ministers Resolution No. 317 on 11 January 2022, directly reporting to the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture. It is the sole government authority overseeing Saudi Arabia's palm and date sector, holding legal personality and administrative independence. The Center operates as an integrated platform serving farmers, traders, factories, exporters, and consumers across the full value chain — from cultivation support and subsidies through export certification and international market development. Its mandate covers 37+ million palm trees, 123,000+ registered agricultural holdings, and 300+ date varieties cultivated in Saudi Arabia.

NCPD's core offerings include the Seasonal Date Markets Platform (a digital B2B trading platform), the Annual Date Purchase Program (which procures dates at preferential prices from small farmers and distributes to 450+ associations), the Agricultural Subsidies Program (direct financial support to small-scale farmers), the Muzare e-commerce platform (nationwide agricultural marketplace), and the Saudi Dates Trademark certification (a quality assurance mark managed jointly with SFDA, Takamul Holding, and private laboratories). Supporting infrastructure includes the Accredited Export Centers Program, Accredited Fumigation Centers (using ethyl formate and carbon dioxide for India/Indonesia/Australia-bound shipments), the Exporter Empowerment Program, Farm Qualification for Global Markets, the Digital Training Academy, and an AI-powered Digital Human assistant named "Faleh" (فالح) launched in beta in 2025.

NCPD's business model combines three revenue streams: (1) a five-year government budget allocation from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture starting fiscal year 2022, transitioning to self-funded operations post-transition; (2) transaction-based service fees for export certificates, Saudi Dates Trademark registration (SAR 1,754 for local factories, SAR 11,754 for foreign applicants), and fumigation certification; and (3) donations, grants, and endowments approved by the Board of Directors. The Center's go-to-market is a hybrid of sales-led direct government service delivery and event-driven international promotion through leading food exhibitions (Anuga, SIAL Paris, Summer Fancy Food Show, Fruit Attraction Madrid, World Food Moscow, Anuga India), domestic seasonal date festivals, and bilateral trade missions. Saudi dates under the Center's stewardship reached 127 countries and generated export value of 1.938 billion SAR in 2025, establishing Saudi Arabia as the world's top date exporter by value.

Name

National Center for Palms and Dates

Legal name

المركز الوطني للنخيل والتمور

Website

https://ncpd.gov.sa

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The National Center for Palms and Dates is a Saudi government entity, established in 2022 under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, that regulates and develops the Kingdom's palm and date sector — serving farmers, traders, factories, exporters, and consumers across 127 countries with subsidies, certifications, digital trading platforms, and international market promotion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Sector Development Services

NAICS

Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (926140), Citrus (except Orange) Groves (11132)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Coconut & Date Palm Plantations (Coconuts, Dates) (AFAGACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Orchard Establishment & Replanting (New Plantings, Rootstock Selection, Trellising Systems) (AFAGACAK), Agriculture, Farming & AgriTech Shows Organizers (THAHABAM)

Keywords

• Agricultural sector development
• Date export certification
• Agricultural subsidy programs
• Food certification services
• Agricultural trade platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Riyadh

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Budget Allocation: Initial five-year funding from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture budget (starting fiscal year 2022), transitioning to an independent budget financed by the Center's own revenues after the transition period.
2. Service Fees and Charges: Fees charged for services and activities delivered by the Center, including export certificates, trademark registration, fumigation certification, and other regulatory services.
3. Donations, Grants, and Endowments: Donations, grants, contributions, endowments, and proceeds from charitable trusts accepted by the Board of Directors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The National Center for Palms and Dates is a Saudi government entity that regulates, develops, and supports the palm and dates sector through export certification (Saudi Dates Trademark), direct agricultural subsidies to small farmers, an annual date purchase program, digital trading platforms (Seasonal Markets System and Muzare), fumigation center accreditation, exporter empowerment, and international marketing of Saudi dates across 127+ countries.

Product overview

The National Center for Palms and Dates (NCPD) operates as a comprehensive government platform providing an integrated ecosystem of agricultural, marketing, and knowledge services for Saudi Arabia's palm and dates sector. The core offerings include the Seasonal Date Markets Platform for electronic date trading, the Annual Date Purchase Program supporting small farmers, Agricultural Subsidies, and the Mazare e-commerce platform for agricultural products. The Saudi Dates Trademark provides certification for factories and companies, while the Accredited Export Centers Program and Date Export Certificate service govern export procedures. Additional programs include Farm Qualification for Global Markets, Exporter Empowerment, Secondary Palm Products Utilization, and the International Dates Award. The center also provides training via its Digital Training Academy, research services, and operates the AI-powered Digital Human assistant 'Faleh' for user support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Seasonal Date Markets Platform (منصة أسواق التمور الموسمية) An electronic platform that organizes date trading and enhances transparency and efficiency for farmers, marketers, traders, factories, institutions, and consumers across Saudi Arabia.
• Annual Date Purchase Program (شراء التمور السنوي) Government program that purchases dates at preferential prices from small farmers (up to 500 trees, 50 dunams) implementing modern irrigation, processed and delivered to beneficiaries and 450+ associations across Saudi Arabia, and distributed as gifts from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
• Agricultural Subsidies Program (الإعانات الزراعية) Program that provides direct and indirect financial assistance to small-scale date palm farmers (up to 500 trees, farms not exceeding 50 dunams) to improve production quality and adopt best agricultural practices, including modern irrigation requirements.
• Saudi Dates Trademark Certification (علامة التمور السعودية) A certification mark indicating that a company complies with proper production and supply procedures, meets food safety and date classification standards, and adheres to environmental sustainability standards. Required for factories and exporters with SFDA A/A+ factory rating. Local factories: SAR 1,754; foreign factories: SAR 11,754.
• Mazare Platform (منصة مزارع) A government e-commerce platform managed by NCPD offering farmers an online marketplace for agricultural products and services before and after harvest, with nationwide delivery.
• Accredited Export Centers Program (برنامج مراكز التصدير المعتمدة) Program that establishes a governance framework for export centers by streamlining export procedures, matching importers' requests with exported shipments, reducing shipment rejections, and enhancing export efficiency.
• Accredited Fumigation Centers (مراكز التبخير المعتمدة) Program accrediting fumigation facilities using a mixture of ethyl formate and carbon dioxide for date exports to countries requiring fumigation such as India, Indonesia, and Australia.
• Exporter Empowerment Program Program that strengthens exporters' capabilities and competitiveness by enhancing skills in marketing, management, and technology use, focusing on major retail chains, e-commerce platforms, food manufacturing sector, and duty-free markets.
• Farm Qualification for Global Markets Program (برنامج تأهيل المزارع للأسواق العالمية) Program that qualifies palm farms for international markets and connects them with Saudi date exporters after meeting required quality standards, providing agricultural awareness and pesticide residue safety certification.
• Date Export Certificate Service (إصدار شهادة تصدير التمور) Service for issuing date export certificates and matching shipments through accredited centers before customs ports to ensure compliance with export requirements.
• International Dates Award (جائزة المركز الوطني للنخيل والتمور الدولية) Annual international award organized by NCPD with three main categories: Best Scientific Research, Excellence in Innovative Palm Technologies, and New Product Development, supporting research and innovation in the palm and dates sector worldwide.
• Secondary Palm Products Utilization Program (الاستفادة من نواتج النخيل الثانوية) Program for collecting and transporting secondary palm by-products from farms to recycling factories for utilization in circular economy applications.
• Agricultural Associations Empowerment (تمكين الجمعيات الزراعية) Program that empowers 450+ agricultural associations across Saudi Arabia to provide agricultural inputs, services, and guidance to the palm sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saudi Arabia ranks as the world's top date exporter by value, exporting to 127 countries
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Ministry of Environment, Water and AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The Center is administratively linked to the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, who chairs the Board of Directors. The Ministry oversees the broader agricultural policy framework within which the Center operates, and the Center's initial five-year funding is channeled through the Ministry's budget.
• Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFDA classifies factories based on its Factory Evaluation Program for the Saudi Dates Trademark system. SFDA also oversees technical regulations and standards for dates in the Kingdom, contributing to quality assurance and food safety compliance for the dates sector.
• Saudi Export Development Authority (هيئة تنمية الصادرات السعودية)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Authority's Secretary General serves on the Center's Board of Directors. The Authority supports date exporters through incentives, export promotion programs, and trade facilitation, complementing the Center's export certification and market access services.
• Saudi Chinese Companies (14 MoUs)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnder the patronage of the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Center signed 14 MoUs with Chinese companies to promote Saudi dates in the Chinese market. This represents a major bilateral trade initiative targeting one of the world's largest consumer markets.
• Second Airports Cluster (تجمع مطارات الثاني)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center signed an MoU with the Second Airports Cluster to enhance cooperation in the dates sector, likely related to date exports logistics and airport-based distribution for date products.
• Saudi Reaf Academy (أكاديمية ريف السعودية)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA cooperation agreement was signed to support agricultural development in the palm and dates sector through training, capacity building, and knowledge transfer programs for farmers and agricultural workers.
• Saudi Awqaf General Authority (الهيئة العامة للأوقاف)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn MoU was signed with the General Authority for Awqaf (Endowments) to activate the role of endowment institutions in the development of the palm and date sector, potentially leveraging waqf (endowment) funding for sector development.
• Coffee Companies in Saudi ArabiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center held a workshop 'Dates in Coffee Companies' and signed 6 agreements to promote innovative uses of Saudi dates in the coffee sector. This initiative encourages food manufacturers to incorporate dates as a natural sweetener and flavoring in coffee products.
• Saudi Academy of Culinary Arts for Cooking 'Zadk' (الأكاديمية السعودية لفنون الطهي زادك)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn agreement was signed with the Saudi Academy of Culinary Arts to develop date-based recipes and promote culinary innovation using Saudi dates, supporting the Center's mission to increase date consumption in food applications.
• Saudi Chambers of CommercecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Center was previously operating under the Council of Saudi Chambers. While it has been transferred to report to the Minister of Environment, ongoing collaboration with chambers continues for organizing events, workshops, and market access activities.
• Takamul HoldingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTakamul Holding receives Saudi Dates Trademark applications, reviews submitted documents, and issues preliminary decisions as part of the trademark registration process administered by the Center.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB): Malaysian statutory authority that regulates the palm oil value chain, from cultivation to exports. Directly comparable to NCPD as a national commodity regulator with sector-development mandate, export certification authority, and global market-development programs.
• Federación Nacional de Cafeteros (Colombian Coffee Growers Federation): Colombia's national coffee commodity board that regulates coffee cultivation, branding, and exports while supporting smallholder farmers. Closely analogous to NCPD as a statutory body managing a flagship national agricultural commodity with export-market focus.
• Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD): Ghana's national cocoa authority with statutory powers over production, quality, and export of a flagship commodity. Mirrors NCPD's role as sole government authority governing an entire agricultural value chain and supporting smallholder subsidies.
• Al Foah (Emirates Dates Company): UAE-based national dates company that processes, markets, and exports dates from UAE producers. A direct competitor to Saudi dates in GCC and global markets, with parallel marketing and export-infrastructure programs.
• Centre Technique des Dattes (Tunisia): Tunisia's national date-sector technical center, supporting research, quality, and promotion of dates. Closely analogous to NCPD's role in palm research, quality certification, and export development for a major date-producing country.
• Saudi Agricultural Development Fund: Saudi government fund financing smallholder agriculture, with a formal MoU with NCPD to finance date purchases from farmers. Operates in parallel as a sister-agency supporting Saudi agricultural value chains.

Regional players

• Iran Date Palm and Tropical Fruits Research Institute: Iran's national research and development body for date palm cultivation. Comparable to NCPD as the leading R&D and technical-support institution for one of the world's largest date-producing countries outside Saudi Arabia.

Broad incumbents

• Saudi Export Development Authority: Saudi government body promoting non-oil exports, with a Board seat on NCPD. A peer as a government export-promotion authority operating in the same ecosystem and supporting Saudi exporters across multiple sectors including dates.

Emerging players

• King Faisal University Date Palm Research Center: Saudi research center focused on date palm cultivation, pest management, and post-harvest technologies. Comparable to NCPD as a domestic R&D stakeholder supporting the palm sector and collaborating on innovation awards.

Others

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): UN specialized agency supporting global agriculture, including date-producing countries. Comparable to NCPD as an international reference for agricultural sector governance, policy frameworks, and statistical reporting on dates.

Market position

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NCPD_SA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1msKzgdcMmqX5aYGEfQ3Wg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-center-for-palms-and-dates
• Instagraminstagram.com/ncpd_sa
• Facebookfacebook.com/ncpd.sa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Center for Palms and Dates