Taif’s pomegranate produce hit stalls across Kingdom

Pomegranate, one of the Kingdom’s most in-demand fruits, is now in season. Al-Baha and Taif are both well-known for farming this fruit, but Taif’s pomegranate supply remains the most popular.
Saudi pomegranate, produced on the fertile soils of Taif’s valleys, are hitting stalls across the Kingdom.
Visitors from neighboring Gulf countries are also seeking out this local produce.
The price of pomegranate varies and largely depends on the skills of vendors. In Jeddah, most vendors are illegal Yemenis, whereas in Riyadh, vendors are Saudis. Saudi farmers travel to the Eastern and Central Provinces to sell pomegranate produce in the summer.
Imported pomegranates from Egypt are sold for SR4 per kilo in supermarkets.
Yemeni imports fetch SR7, but the Taif variety usually costs above SR10 per kilo depending on the location of the city.
Taif’s pomegranate is widely sold across the Kingdom, as are those from Yemen, Egypt, Pakistan and India. Prior to the Taif harvest, the Saudi market is receiving pomegranates from Yemen.
Fahd Al-Hussaimi, a prominent farmer of pomegranate produce, told Arab News, “We Saudis in Taif are proud of our hospitality, as well as our fabulous farm produce.”
The valleys of Hada, Shifa, Wadi Moharram and Bani Malik in Taif are known for harvesting quality pomegranate. Trucks transport the seasonal fruit to Jeddah, Riyadh and other cities in Kingdom on a daily basis.
Authorities from the Ministry of Agriculture regularly check up on produce and advise farmers on methods for growing the fruit. It also monitors the use of pesticides in the farms.
Pomegranate is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an as a precious and prized fruit and many Saudis consider it a traditional Arab remedy for stabilizing blood sugar and cholesterol levels in the body.
The fruit has beneficial ingredients. It is high in vitamin C and contains vitamins B5, A and E. In addition, it is full of minerals such as calcium, potassium and iron, which add to its many health benefits. Pomegranate seeds are also a great source of fiber.