More than 71 varieties of dates were on display in the auction arena of the Food City during the Onaizah International Dates Season, which is organized by the Chamber of Commerce in Unaizah in partnership with the Onaizah Municipality and the office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Water in Onaizah.
Member of the Chamber’s Agricultural Committee, Walid Al-Obaidallah, said the most common and sought-after types are Khalas, Barhi, Majdoul, Khodari, and Sukkari. Al-Hamra, Aseelah, Fankha, Wanana, Shirazi, Shishi, Umm Kabar, Al-Maktoumi, Al-Rashoodiyah, Al-Shaqraa, Al-Ruthana, Al-Helweh, Umm Al-Khashab, Napata Rashid, Napata Ali, Al-Saq’i, Napata Seif, Al-Buraimi, Haushana, Al-Munifi, Al-Qattara, Salmiya and others.
He said the health of dates is checked in the municipal laboratory and ascertained through control tours.
Al-Obaidallah said that the method of displaying dates in the auction on smart carts enables the buyer to inspect the entire quantity of dates and examine them carefully before making the purchase.
Buraidah Dates Festival
Meanwhile, Saudi media reports said the Buraidah Dates Festival has contributed to enhancing the concept of food security in the Kingdom by supporting farmers, traders and consumers of dates, and also contributed to the export of dates and enhancing the concept of investment in the Kingdom.
The reports said the kingdom has enacted laws and made regulations and procedures that contribute to the preservation and safety of palm trees, and contribute to raising and improving the efficiency of its production of dates in accordance with standard specifications concerned with human health.
This has made Saudi Arabia one of the most productive countries for dates and its various industries.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the organizer of the largest date market festival in the world, has also prepared a system of services for farmers, traders and consumers of dates, amid the festival’s cultural, social and recreational activities and programs targeting segments of society, the report said.