Riyadh Seasonal Date Fair: Many Options To Choose From

The Riyadh Seasonal Date Fair, which started on Aug. 11, offers a wide range of date products and derivatives from different regions of the Kingdom.

With more than 50 farmers and exhibitors, consumers and investors have plenty of options to choose from.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture; the Riyadh Municipality; the National Center for Palms and Dates; and agricultural associations, all collaborate to help achieve the fair’s goals.

The event lasts for two months at the Rawabi Market for vegetables and fruits. It aims to create an economic and agricultural gathering that boosts marketing of the region’s dates — which account for 24 percent of the Kingdom’s total production, some 400,000 tons.

To ensure quality and safety, participating farmers must have the Saudi dates logo and certificates for organic farming and quality.

Authorities and organizers are working to establish domestic and international marketing channels for the Kingdom’s 123,000 agricultural palm holdings. They also aim to expand the reach of the product to the investment sector in date-based processing industries.

The fair falls within the framework of the integrated development of date production in the Kingdom, which is known for its high quality, abundance, and diversity.

The total number of palms in the Kingdom has reached 34,554,602, representing 27 percent of the world’s palm trees.

The seasonal market supports and promotes agricultural products and farmers. It aims to strengthen the palm and date sector, valued at about SR7.5 billion ($2 billion), which accounts for 12 percent of the Kingdom’s total agricultural output.