RIYADH — The Sustainable Agricultural Rural Development Program (Saudi Reef) reported that Saudi Arabia’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 the Taif governorate, where 700 hectares of rose farms across approximately 1,300 properties produce around 500 million roses annually. These rose produces are supported by 36 perfume factories valued at SR52 million. Saudi Reef supports 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 United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on sector development initiatives. Taif's ideal climate enables more than 20 types of aromatic plants that require little water and incur low cultivation costs. Global demand for roses is growing by 10–15 percent annually, driven by expanding uses in perfumes, medicine, and beverages. 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.