Customers buy dates in an open-air market in Madinah. — Okaz photoZain Al-Abdeen Khaled Saudi Gazette MADINAH — The city of Madinah is famous for its dates and it is the home of the highly sought-after Ajwa date, which was a favorite of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Rising temperatures mark the beginning of the summer harvest and date lovers in the Kingdom and abroad eagerly anticipate this time of year. One of the main products of Madinah, a kilogram of dates is currently retailing at an average price of SR20. As dates continue to flood the market, prices are expected to drop. However, several rare and famous types of dates such as Ajwa retail for significantly higher prices. Some of the most common and popular dates from Madinah include the Baid, Al-Rabea, Al-Sukkari and Al-Helwa types. With Ramadan nearly a month away, date farmers are reporting brisk business. Naif Saleh, an owner of a date farm in the city, said a date wholesaler purchased his entire harvest for SR450,000, which is significantly higher than what he was paid last year. “Farming dates is a profitable business and every year we are earning more and more money," said Saleh who plans on adding additional date plants to his farm. Hamed Al-Sahli, a date wholesaler who has contracts with several farmers in Madinah, said wholesalers now control the production of many farms. According to Al-Sahli, 40 percent of the date harvest in Madinah is transported on trucks to different parts of the Kingdom. Khalaf Al-Madwi is a Saudi truck driver who said the season creates job opportunities for Saudis. “Many Saudis are working in this seasonal industry every year. They can work in transporting dates from farms to the market, loading date boxes to and from trucks and even selling the boxes to customers. I have already been hired by a date wholesaler to transport dates to Jeddah and earn SR400 per trip, which is good money for this season," he said. As Madinah dates begin to make their way to all parts of the Kingdom, consumers are eagerly buying them and stocking up for Ramadan. Sami Badr said he is buying his favorite dates before they become more expensive. “I love Rothana and I'm buying it at whatever price I can find and stocking it in my house. There are other dates that cost between SR70 and SR100 a kilo but prices for these dates will rise as they become harder to find in the market." Hamed Al-Mullah owns several date shops and he expects average prices to fall. “Prices are high now because the market is not yet filled with dates. With the exception of extremely popular dates, most date prices will decrease. The heat may be unbearable but it is a good time for the people of Madinah as their favorite dates are beginning to come into the markets," he said.
