Qassim dates carnival highlights Saudi agricultural export success
Annual festival in Buraidah showcases millions of palm trees while expanding global demand for premium Saudi date varieties
BURAIDAH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — Saudi Arabia’s Qassim Region is reinforcing its reputation as the country’s leading dates-producing region, with more than 11 million palm trees supplying premium varieties to domestic and international markets.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the region hosts the world’s largest dates carnival each year in Buraidah, bringing together farmers, traders and investors on a single platform to promote trade, attract investment and expand export opportunities for Saudi dates.
The event has become a major marketplace for the kingdom’s date industry, introducing modern grading, packaging and marketing systems to improve product quality and ensure transparent trading. These measures have strengthened the competitiveness of Saudi dates in regional and global markets.
While Qassim is best known for its signature Sukkari dates, the region also produces other popular varieties, including Barhi, Khalas, Sagai and Nabut Saif.
Their quality and nutritional value have contributed to rising demand, supporting the expansion of Saudi date exports to markets across dozens of countries.
Buraidah International Dates Carnival Chief Executive Officer Dr. Khaled Al-Nuqidan said the region’s more than 11 million palm trees produce some of Saudi Arabia’s finest dates, with Sukkari remaining its flagship variety.
He said the carnival has earned recognition as the world’s largest dates festival and is listed in Guinness World Records, reflecting Qassim’s leadership in the palm cultivation sector and the growing international reputation of Saudi dates.
Al-Nuqidan said the annual event draws thousands of producers, traders and investors, serving as an integrated commercial platform that creates added value for Saudi dates while encouraging new investment and export growth.
He added that the increasing global reach of Saudi dates has been supported by strict quality standards and the adoption of advanced grading, packaging and marketing practices, contributing to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
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