BURAIDAH: Qassim Vice Gov. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal will open the Buraidah International Dates Market today, which is expected to draw huge crowds from inside and outside the Kingdom.
Available at the market in Buraidah are large quantities of Sukkary dates, which are only produced in Qassim. Sukkary dates are the most sought-after and expensive category of dates in Saudi Arabia.
Dubbed as the capital of dates in the Kingdom, Buraidah is home to more than 30 varieties of palm trees with an estimated cultivated area of date palm reaching more than 172,000 hectares in 2006. Several million riyals worth of trading take place in the market between producers and traders.
Qassim is home to four major dates markets in Onaizah, Mithnab, Al-Rass and Buraidah. The market in Onaizah is considered the second largest date market in the region. Prince Faisal bin Mishaal patronized the opening of the market in Al-Mithnab last Saturday and is expected to open the Onaizah market on the first day of Ramadan next week.
