Date season in Saudi Arabia is a chance for visitors and residents to experience one of Riyadh’s sweetest seasons. Organised by the National Company for Agricultural Services, date season in the capital runs at Al-Rabwa Market from Saturday, 15 August until Monday, 28 September.
The event will bring together local farmers and exhibitors, with plenty of dates, agricultural products and date-based goodies to browse and take home.
For visitors, it’s a good excuse to wander through the market, discover different varieties and stock up on fresh Saudi dates.
The season is also a chance to celebrate the people and produce behind Saudi Arabia’s much-loved dates. By bringing farmers, producers and shoppers together, the initiative helps shine a light on the variety of dates grown across the Kingdom while supporting local agriculture.
There’s also plenty to appreciate beyond the market stalls. Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s leading date producers, with more than 37 million date palm trees producing over 1.9 million tonnes of dates each year. That means dates always make their way to local tables. Saudi dates are also increasingly finding their way to kitchens around the world.
Picking the Best Date Varieties
The Kingdom grows dozens of varieties. Favourites are the sweet, soft Sukkari, the caramel-like Khalas which is paired with Arabic coffee, and the distinctive Ajwa that is dark brown to black.
Medjool dates are known for being large, with a slightly non-sticky texture, and best used in desserts. Maftoul dates are great for garnishing dishes, while the Mabroom variety is ideal for gifting and special occasions. Sagai dates are a good choice for daily consumption.
Some varieties can also be enjoyed at different stages of ripeness, from fresh, juicy rutab to softer, fully ripened dates.
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