RIYADH (XINHUA) – The Buraidah Dates Festival kicked off on Monday in Saudi Arabia’s central Qassim province.
This festival offers Saudi farmers an opportunity to get to know the latest agricultural technologies and provide a platform to exchange expertise.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Saudi Arabia’s date exports reached 321,000 tonnes in 2022, valued at SAR1.28 billion. Meanwhile, the kingdom’s annual date output surpassed 1.6 million tonnes, with more than 300 varieties.
The Qassim region boasts the highest number of palm trees in the country, totalling 11.2 million trees, followed by Madinah with 8.3 million, Riyadh with 7.7 million and the Eastern region with 4.1 million, the a news agency reported.
Saudi Arabia aims to bolster its date sales in both local and international markets, which play a vital role in the kingdom’s economy.
The festival, held at the Palm Center in Buraidah city, is scheduled to run until August 25.
