Jeddah’s residents are stocking up on sweets, essential for Eid festivities not only in the Kingdom, but across the Islamic world.

Arab News met with 70-year-old Mohammed Abu Sabeen, a sweet vendor who owns a stall at the famous Qabil Street market.

Abu Sabeen has been selling sweets and nuts, particularly sweets specific to the Eid holiday, for more than 50 years. He said sales typically increase during the last 10 days of Ramadan, particularly the sale of various types of chocolates, whether Swiss, Italian, Turkish, Syrian or local.

He said the most expensive types of chocolate are the Swiss and Italian brands with nuts, he said.

“The price of a kilogram of these types ranges between SR100 and SR150.

Other premium types of popular sweets include toffee with fruit, the famous “halqoum” Turkish delights, as well as alman and alsalwa sweets, which have been considered a favorite by many for more than 100 years.

“Almonds, coconut, pistachios, and cashews cost SR50 to SR60 a kilogram,” he said.

Hussein Baqna, a Jeddah resident, said sweets are considered an essential component of Eid.

“I come to the downtown area especially to buy traditional sweets and enjoy the spirit of the end of Ramadan and anticipation of Eid,” he said. “I spend at least SR500 every year to be able to guarantee enough sweets for my family and friends when they come and visit us.”