Madinah: The central dates market in Madinah is witnessing an active buying and selling movement as Ramadan approaches, amidst regulatory efforts from relevant authorities to monitor violations and ensure that points of sale comply with laws and regulations.

According to Saudi Press Agency, dates are a key component of the Ramadan iftar table and one of the most popular items among Muslims; following the tradition of the Prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him. In addition to their cultural significance, dates offer numerous health benefits due to their high nutritional value and essential elements beneficial for all age groups.

A tour by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) observed a notable demand from locals and residents for dates, with various types available from all regions of the Kingdom, including Madinah’s Ajwa dates, along with Ruthana, Sukari, and Khalas dates.

Recent statistics released by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce, on the sidelines of meetings between date factories and catering service providers, revealed that 70% of catering providers in the region prefer to include dates in their food menus due to their high nutritional value and competitive quality.

The data also showed that 85% of date factories seek to expand their partnerships with the catering sector, with 65% of participants citing significant opportunities to increase date consumption in educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and the hotel sector.