Local Dates Festival sees record sales and visitors

The 8th edition of the Local Dates Festival Saturday came to an end at Souq Waqif after marking a record sale and visitor turnout. According to a statement from the Private Engineering Office (PEO), sales stood at record 220 tonnes worth QR2mn. The festival received more than 50,000 visitors.
Khaled Saif al-Suwaidi, general supervisor of the festival, said that the latest edition has achieved records both in terms of the sale, number of participating farms and visitors. “This version made a quantum leap in the number of food companies participating in the festival. Many services were taken into account for the convenience of the public, setting a distance between the participating shops, providing security men in the place for the convenience of visitors and providing places for prayer for men and women,” al-Suwaidi said.
The latest festival broke the record which was set in 2018 when the festival was 15 days long. “What distinguished this version is the competitions that were held between the farms trying to produce better quality,” he said. The winners were announced on the last day of the festival.
A total of 103 farms were part of the festival that started on July 25 at Al Ahmed Square of Souq Waqif.
Al Khalas was the most sought-after date in the festival followed by Al Shishi, Al Barhi and Al Khunaizi. The festival organisers had to increase the quantities offered to cover customers' needs.
Al-Suwaidi said that the festival also witnessed a great diversity in the audience.
Local varieties, including Al Khalas, Al Khenaizi, Al Shishi, Al Barhi, Al Saqai, Al Razizi, Nabt Saif and Al Lulu, were available at the festival along with date syrup. Date juice and ice cream turned to be the visitors' favourite with many opting to try them at counters inside the tent. Also, the festival had selling points of locally grown farm fresh figs.