ISLAMABAD, (MILLAT/APP): Pilgrims and visitors are flocking
to the Central Date Market near the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah to
buy different kinds of dates, a traditional present upon returning
to their countries.
The high-quality Ajwah date ranged from SR35 ($9) to SR50
per kilogram. The high-quality Anbarah cost SR40-55 per kilogram.
Al-Safwi was sold at SR15-25 per kilogram. Al-Siqi cost SR15-20
per kilogram.
Date-shop owners at the market told Arab News that pilgrims
who most like to buy dates are Turks, followed by Indonesians,
Malaysians, Pakistanis and Gulf nationals.
Hammoud Alitha Al-Harbi, head of the Cooperative
Agricultural Association in Madinah, told Arab News that Madinah
is one of the Kingdom’s greatest producers of dates.
With the city attracting up to 10 million pilgrims and
visitors throughout the year, it has became the main seller of
Saudi dates.
There are almost 18,000 date palm farms in the country, with
more than 3.5 million palm trees producing around 360 types.
Of these, 20 kinds make up 70 percent of Madinah’s annual
production, which reaches up to 300,000 tons, representing 32
percent of Saudi dates and generating around SR9 million in
revenue annually.
Madinah produces the famous Ruthana and Rabeia varieties, as
well as Ajwa, Barni, Majdoul, Anbara and Safawa, which are the
most in-demand among residents and visitors.
Statistics show that each pilgrim buys an average of 5-10
kilograms of dates.