There are more than 133 million Phoenix dactylifera L or the date palms in Saudi Arabia according to the National Center for Palms & Dates(NCPD) & وزارة البيئة والمياه والزراعة.
Saudi Arabia has also become the world’s number one exporter of dates with a 1.7 billion SAR in export value.
The date fruit is called a “drupe” and goes through several stages in the process of its ripening,here are what the main stages are called in Arabic:
الحَبّابوك (Ḥabbābūk)
• Tiny, green, inedible
• Appears briefly in April–May
الكِمْرِي (Kimrī)
• Full size, hard, sour, high in moisture
• Extends through May–June
البُسْر / الخَلال (Busr / Khalāl)
• Yellow or red (by variety), crisp, slightly sweet, eaten fresh
• Main stage in June–July
الرُّطَب (Ruṭab)
• Soft, very sweet, juicy; partially ripe
• Common in July–August
التَّمْر (Tamr)
• Fully ripe, dark brown, naturally dried; ideal for storage and trade
• Peaks in August–September
Now that the harvest is in full swing there are several large date related events around the Kingdom:
Otaiqah Dates Season (Riyadh)
•What it is: Now in its fourth edition, this expansive market-style event spans over 10,000 m². Trade stalls feature more than 60 traders, date varieties, export-focused showcases, and interactive zones celebrating the date industry.
•When: Starting in August 2025, running for about four months, timed to align with harvest season.
Al-Qassim / Buraidah Date Festival
•What it is: The world’s largest date festival in central Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qassim region. The event includes a massive date marketplace offering over 30+ varieties and various heritage workshops and culinary byproducts.
•When: Held annually, typically August to October.
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