RIYADH: Sales at the first Al-Kharj Festival of Saudi Dates and Coffee has exceeded SR10 million ($2.6 million), the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
Visitors were drawn to ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ coffee and dates due to special offers, the approaching holy month of Ramadan, and access to specialized markets with daily promotions.
The 10-day festival featured 30 companies and shops offering more than 26 varieties of dates and related products, according to the SPA.
Additionally, 20 coffee shops were selling 2 to 3 tonnes of the brew daily, with sales increasing to around 5 tonnes on weekends.
The festival, supported by various government departments and institutions within the governorate, underscored the importance of these two products in ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ culture, the SPA added.
Dates represent the Kingdom’s agricultural heritage and its status as one of the world’s leading producers and exporters, while local coffee is a vital part of the national identity, symbolizing generosity and social authenticity.
Abdulaziz Al-Sharif, chairman of the festival’s organizing committee, said the event provided an opportunity for small- and medium-sized enterprises and specialized companies to connect with a wider audience and showcase their products.
The festival’s primary goal was to enhance Al-Kharj’s reputation as a vibrant tourist and heritage destination, while promoting local products on both national and international levels, the SPA reported.
