The great date market
For one month every year, Buraydah turns into a trading floor for dates. The festival, which Saudipedia describes as recognised as the world's largest date market, draws on some 8 million palms, and around 53,000 vehicles bring in more than 57,000 tonnes of fruit.
More than 45 varieties change hands, among them Sukkari, Khalas, Segae, Shaqra, Hashaishee, Ruthan, Maktomi and Wanana. It is the largest economic event for dates in the Kingdom, and the city's date shops feel the lift as soon as it opens.
A city of food
Buraydah lies about 330 km north-west of Riyadh and had about 677,647 residents in the 2022 census. In November 2021 it joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for gastronomy, the first Gulf city in that category, and it exports dates to more than 20 countries.
The Klija Festival, organised by the al-Qassim Chamber of Commerce, brings together more than 200 producing families. Some 28 km away, Unaizah keeps its own traditional market.