RIYADH: Summer holds special significance in numerous regions across Saudi Arabia, as it marks the golden season for date harvesting. To celebrate the date harvest, various Saudi regions renowned for their date production organize festivals aimed at attracting customers and promoting their produce.
One such event is the “Riyadh Seasonal Date Fair,” organized through the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh Municipality, and the National Center for Palms and Dates. This 60-day fair, which made its debut in early August, features several agricultural associations and has a primary objective of supporting the palm and date sector, contributing a substantial SR7.5 billion ($2 billion), representing 12 percent of the Kingdom’s total agricultural output.
The Riyadh region alone produces over 400,000 tons of dates, constituting nearly a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s total output. Remarkably, the Kingdom boasts more than 33 million palm trees, accounting for approximately 27 percent of the world’s total palm tree population.
Sulaiman Al-Jatily, Director-General of the General Administration of Agricultural Associations and Marketing at the Ministry, highlighted the fair’s goals, emphasizing its role in improving the marketing environment for Riyadh’s dates. The fair also endeavors to create favorable conditions that benefit farmers, investors, and consumers.
Al-Jatily explained that the fair’s focus extends to farmers with the Saudi Dates mark, as well as certificates for organic farming and quality, aiming to empower farmers in marketing their produce and directly showcasing it at the fair.
Significance of Date Festivals in Saudi Arabia
Another notable event is the “Buraidah Date Festival,” lasting 30 days and featuring over 40 diverse date varieties. This festival consistently attracts shoppers and date traders from across the Arab nations. More than 4,000 participants, including young men and women, productive families, and artisans, contribute to the festival’s success.
Majid Al-Khamis, Director of the Majid Al-Khamis Agricultural Consulting Office, emphasized the multifaceted significance of date festivals in Saudi Arabia. Beyond their economic impact, these festivals play a crucial role in promoting culture and heritage, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich cultural legacy tied to date cultivation and production.
These festivals provide an opportunity to introduce and celebrate various local date varieties, offering heritage events and displays that highlight customs and traditions associated with date cultivation and harvesting.
Furthermore, date festivals serve as a catalyst for economic growth, attracting both domestic and international tourists and visitors. Attendees have the chance to explore different date varieties, learn about Saudi Arabia’s date cultivation culture, and indulge in the accompanying entertainment and cultural activities.
These events also serve as platforms for the presentation of innovative date cultivation and development techniques and scientific research. By showcasing modern approaches to date cultivation, they facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences among scientists, farmers, and date industry enthusiasts.
Fawaz Abdulwahhab, a retail date trader from Alkohaifiah, has benefited significantly from his participation in the Al-Fankha Festival in the town of Al-Khafah. Inspired by the festival, he invested in the date industry and has received considerable financial returns. Although he does not own any farms, he purchases the entire output of many farms, overseeing the drying, packing, and sale of these dates during festival days.
Saudi Arabia’s date festivals, far more than mere celebrations of the harvest, reflect a thriving economy and a deep-rooted cultural heritage, attracting both enthusiasts and participants from near and far. These events continue to strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in date production and innovation.
