Buraidah: Sales at the Buraidah International Dates Carnival exceeded SAR602 million in August, as tons of dates flowed into the event and attracted exceptional interest from traders, investors, and consumers from across Saudi Arabia and abroad. According to Saudi Press Agency, statistics issued by the carnival's statistics committee showed total sales reaching SAR602,978,065. The committee recorded more than 34,700 vehicles carrying 7,198,490 packages of dates, totaling more than 29,733 tons. The soaring sales figures underscore the economic importance of the carnival as the leading, most comprehensive hub for date production and exports, both regionally and globally. The carnival plays a vital role in marketing Saudi products and supporting food security and food-processing industries. It will continue through October 14. Qassim Region produces more than 587,000 tons of dates annually across more than 100 varieties, making it the Kingdom's leading region in annual date production.