RIYADH: More than 70 countries have imported dates from the Buraidah Date Festival so far this year, Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. The month-long event is organized by the Qassim branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. The Qassim region produces more than 300,000 tons of dates annually and local farmers aim to increase production and contribute to achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by boosting non-oil revenues. The festival is considered one the biggest marketing hubs in the world, and more than 1,000 vehicles loaded with tons of dates are parked so that customers and investors can buy different types of prized Saudi dates. There is a 15,000-square-meter export yard at the festival where dates are packed and sent to cities across the Kingdom and countries around the world. Saudi Arabia exported SR1.2 billion ($323.3 million) worth of dates in 2021.