Saudi grower Dava Agricultural announces Taif mega-project targets 1,000 tons daily by 2030

SAUDI ARABIA – Dava Agricultural has announced the expansion of its controlled-environment production with the Taif mega-project, extending over 350 hectares of glass greenhouses, aiming to reach 1,000 tons of daily fresh produce output by 2030.

The grower currently accounts for 13.8% of Saudi Arabia’s greenhouse production, with a daily output of 135 tonnes across 85 hectares of glass hydroponic greenhouses.

“This has allowed us to reduce tomato imports from Europe and has even reversed the trend, as we export tomatoes to Europe during winter since 2024,” said Wissam Abdul Samad, Deputy CEO of Dava Agricultural. The current product range includes tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and herbs.

The Taif project significantly enhances regional food security by transforming desert land into highly productive farms using advanced climate-control systems and water-saving technologies.

As a result, Saudi Arabia reduces its dependence on imported fresh produce while building year-round self-sufficiency.

The project also includes a plantation programme of one million trees, including grapes, pomegranate, moringa, and sidr varieties, alongside a solar energy park, a water lake with integrated fish production, and eco-tourism facilities.

Dava’s roadmap includes reaching 250 tons per day by 2028 and 1,000 tons by 2030, across 350 hectares of high-tech hydroponic greenhouses and 2,000 hectares of open-field cultivation.

Further, ongoing developments include 23 hectares of polycarbonate greenhouses in Al-Kharj, expected by 2027; 20 hectares of semi-closed glass greenhouses by 2028; a mushroom facility; and 700 hectares of open-field crops, including potatoes, carrots, and onions.

Taif’s agricultural output will disrupt European winter markets by supplying premium-quality produce when Northern Hemisphere production is limited. “We are building this momentum with an ambitious roadmap,” Abdul Samad added.

The project aims to replace imported crops, such as grapes, blueberries, and iceberg lettuce, with premium local produce. The announcement comes amid logistical disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions around the Arabian Peninsula, which have affected supply chains for imported fresh produce.

“These expansion projects will strengthen Saudi Arabia’s food security and self-sufficiency while reducing dependence on imported products,” Abdul Samad said.

“They will also create significant employment opportunities and establish Taif as a national hub for advanced agriculture and agritourism, in line with Vision 2030.”

Ultimately, the Taif mega-project signals a fundamental shift: the Gulf is moving from an import-dependent consumer to a competitive regional exporter.

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