At least 65 countries including the Gulf Arab states have received dates since the start of the Unaizah International Dates Season. Arab countries, such as Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, and several countries in East Asia, Europe and the Americas received the dates. Head of the Agricultural Committee at the Unaizah Chamber and President of the External Export in the season Abdulrahman Al-Krieda noted that the sukkari dates is most in demand in foreign markets due to its quality and availability, followed by Al-Saqii and Al-Majdoul. He added that there are traders who have received the Saudi date mark, which is a quality control mark that shows that products are safe. This mark is granted to certain institutions after applying technical and standards requirements in food safety and conforming to the conditions of global markets. Al-Krieda noted that the exportation mechanism is made through special vehicles that leave Unaizah every morning through the land before they arrive in their destination within less than 12 hours. There are other amounts that are shipped to Arab, Maghrib and European countries through sea freight. Exporting dates has increased and included new countries, such as the Republic of Korea. — SPA
