Qassim Dates Season Opens as First Varieties Ripen Across Region's Farms

 With the start of summer, date farms across Qassim Region are witnessing the ripening of the first varieties, marking the beginning of one of the Kingdom's most important agricultural seasons. The annual scene reflects the region's long-standing heritage and leadership in date production, as well as the sector's nutritional, agricultural, and economic value.
 Date palm farms across the region's governorates are witnessing increased activity as the first varieties approach ripeness, with intensive preparations underway for harvesting and marketing. Qassim's accumulated agricultural expertise and well-developed infrastructure have boosted its position as one of the Kingdom's leading date-producing regions.
 In an interview with SPA, farmer Abdulaziz Al-Tuwaijri spoke about the stages of fruit ripening, preparations preceding the harvest, and the main varieties that have begun to appear. He stressed that the season represents an annual milestone eagerly anticipated by farmers because of the economic activity and broad marketing opportunities it brings.
 The Sukkari variety accounts for approximately 76% of the total production from Qassim's date farms, followed by several other prominent varieties, including Medjool, Sagai, and Khalas. Harvesting of the region's rare varieties begins on July 1 each year, while the remaining varieties start on July 10. Harvesting of the Sukkari variety begins on July 20, with the official date season launching at the beginning of August each year. The period from August 1 to 20 is considered the most suitable time for consumers wishing to purchase dates for consumption and storage, due to the abundance and high quality of production during that period.