RIYADH: A market offering a variety of activities, local products and handicrafts has been launched by the Royal Commission for AlUla as part of the AlUla Date Festival.
The market will operate on Fridays and Saturdays, adjacent to the farmers’ market in Manshiya, boosting the local and regional competitiveness of AlUla dates, and contributing to the economic development of the region.
AlUla dates are a key feature of Saudi date festivals, and the festival collaborates with various partners and institutions to align with the sustainable development goals of the governorate and Saudi Vision 2030.
The market will run until Nov. 11, while the market auction runs until Oct. 28 at the new auction site in Al-Aziziyah district, with more than 150 farmers taking part.
Market attractions include a children’s area, theater, cafes and restaurants, as well as numerous pavilions offering economic opportunities for local families.
Pavilions will showcase products such as dates, honey, plants, traditional clothing and handicrafts.
Government institutions and agencies, including the Agricultural Development Fund and the National Center for Palms and Dates, are actively involved in the fourth AlUla Date Festival.
In recent weeks, the festival’s auction has witnessed significant sales growth, capitalizing on the 2.3 million palm trees in the governorate, which yield about 90,000 tons of dates.
The aim is to enhance competitiveness for AlUla dates in local, regional, and global markets and contribute to AlUla’s vision of making the Kingdom the world’s leading date exporter.
The AlUla Date Festival market welcomes visitors from 5-11 p.m., with free transport provided to and from the market. Transportation starts at 4:30 p.m. with one trip every 30 minutes from Winter Park and Al-Aziziyah.
