BURAIDAH: Dates grown in Buraidah, the capital of Qassim region, are increasingly popular in the Kingdom and internationally, thanks to their high quality and abundance. More than 400 refrigerated trucks transport hundreds of tons of the dates, including more than 45 varieties, each day. They are taken to specialized factories in Jeddah, Riyadh and Madinah and other places for sorting and packing, before being delivered to Saudi and international buyers. Daily sales of dates from Qassim are estimated to be worth more than SR1.5 million ($400,000). As a result, the city of Buraidah has become an important location for dates traders, marketers, investors and consumers, which generates a significant amount of economic activity. A festival is also held there that celebrates local heritage and culture.