Asharq al-Awsat, the London-based Saudi Arabian newspaper, reported recently that Saudi Arabian farmers are critical of some Arab countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan, for their policy on importation of Israeli dates. According to the newspaper, Israel has begun exporting dates to several Arab states, including those in the Gulf region, which poses direct competition to the Saudi produce. Abdul Aziz al-Tuwaijeri, chairman of the date producers and exporters committee at the Qassim Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimated Israel?s dates output at 12,000 tons; whereas, Saudi Arabia produces 850,000 tons of dates annually.
Al-Tuwaijeri told another Gulf newspaper, al-Watan, that ?Despite the small quantity of its production, Israel is posing stiff competition to Saudi dates.? In addition to the ?Israeli excuse?, al-Tuwaijeri admitted to the press that ?the Kingdom lacked an organized market for dates. ?In some areas you will find a variety of dates in plenty but some other areas lack adequate supply,? he said.
Tuwaijeri stressed the need for organizing fairs in various parts of the Kingdom to promote dates.?
Al-Tuwaijeri told another Gulf newspaper, al-Watan, that ?Despite the small quantity of its production, Israel is posing stiff competition to Saudi dates.? In addition to the ?Israeli excuse?, al-Tuwaijeri admitted to the press that ?the Kingdom lacked an organized market for dates. ?In some areas you will find a variety of dates in plenty but some other areas lack adequate supply,? he said.
Tuwaijeri stressed the need for organizing fairs in various parts of the Kingdom to promote dates.?