Sales at the Buraidah date market have yielded SR160 million since the start of the date festival 20 days ago, reporting average daily sales of SR8 million.
Salih Al-Ahmed, mayor of the Qasim Region, said the Buraidah date market has become a key date collection center and is receiving 950 vehicles daily loaded with a variety of dates coming from some six million date palms from across the region.
Meanwhile, dealers predicted that daily sales will reach SR20 million during peak season, which will last for another month. “Saqi” and “khulas” dates are being sold at high prices, but the “sukkari” brand remains predominantly in demand, dealers said.
For his part, Ali Al-Faizi, a date palm farmer, said production is distinctive and that most produce is of lucrative quality and sold at high prices. Nevertheless, prices remain lower than the previous year due to increased production and over-supply.
“Everyone is looking for quality and good prices and farmers have benefited from the daily turnout at the market. Some quote prices of over SR200 for a 3-kg pack and others less than SR100 for the same type depending on size and color,” he noted.
Khalid Al-Naqeedan, CEO of the Buraidah date festival, said the first days of the festival achieved satisfactory revenues for farmers.
He predicted that the coming days would be crucial, with an expected record mark of more than SR600 million within 30 days.
There was a significant participation from GCC countries, notably Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Date dealers and brokers came from within the Kingdom and abroad to buy and export large quantities of dates to different parts of the world, he said.
He said more than 40 percent of dates are normally stored in special refrigerators for the following Ramadan every year.
In this context, Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijri said date traders have a good opportunity to sell 10 to 20 percent of stored dates in the upcoming Haj season, while another 30 percent is sold during the season. The remaining percentage is marketed during the holy month of Ramadan.
Buraidah date sales hit SR160m
Buraidah date sales hit SR160m
Citrus festival highlights AlUla’s heritage, economy
- The rise in visitor numbers reflects the festival’s prominence as a major agricultural and community event. It runs until Jan. 16
ALULA: The AlUla Citrus Festival has seen a remarkable turnout of residents and visitors as it has coincided with the mid-year school break, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The festival is being held at the farmers’ market in the cultural oasis, amid an environment that blends stunning natural beauty with the governorate's rich agricultural heritage.
The rise in visitor numbers reflects the festival’s prominence as a major agricultural and community event. It runs until Jan. 16.
It allows visitors to explore local products and purchase citrus fruits directly from farmers, highlighting the deep connection between the people, their land, and agricultural legacy.
The festival showcases a diverse selection of AlUla’s finest citrus fruits, alongside platforms for local producers, the SPA added.
The event also features interactive family-friendly activities and live cooking demonstrations.
It contributes to revitalizing agricultural economic activity and reinforces agricultural seasons as a pillar of sustainable development in the governorate.
The AlUla Citrus Festival is a key social and economic event and gives local farmers a vital platform to showcase and sell their produce, supporting the agricultural economy of a governorate home to nearly 5,000 productive farms.
