Al-Baha Delivers Over 12,000 Cartons Of Pomegranates Across Saudi Arabia In Four Weeks

Over the past month, more than 12,000 cartons of Al-Baha's pomegranates have been transported to major Saudi cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Makkah. This was achieved using refrigerated trucks. The pomegranate season coincides with the 13th annual National Pomegranate Festival in Al-Baha, organised by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. Young locals are actively participating in harvesting and packaging these pomegranates.

Farmer Mohsen Al-Zahrani shared insights into the production process. He mentioned that a single farm can pack between 50 to 150 cartons daily, with larger farms producing even more. "Each carton contains between 15 to 20 pomegranates, while larger cartons can hold up to 36," he explained. This highlights the scale of operations during the festival period.

The festival has seen a surge in demand for Al-Baha's pomegranates due to their high quality. Participants noted that this year's demand exceeds supply as the festival's reputation grows annually. The event has become a key attraction for shoppers from major cities across the Kingdom, boosting local agriculture.

Anwar Ahmed Al-Zahrani, a participant in the festival, told the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), "I have been participating in the festival from the beginning in the areas of packaging and transportation. This year, we have shipped between 1,200 to 1,500 cartons to Riyadh and Dammam every Friday, over 500 cartons to Jeddah, and 150 to 200 cartons to Makkah every Tuesday using refrigerated and equipped vehicles."

Anwar Ahmed Al-Zahrani also highlighted plans for future expansion. He confirmed intentions to broaden packaging and shipping operations to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries next season. Shipping costs remain affordable at SAR 25 to 30 per carton, making it accessible for wider distribution.

The festival began nearly 12 years ago and is now one of Saudi Arabia's most significant events. It has evolved considerably over time, drawing numerous visitors from various regions. Its success has inspired young people to revive traditional agricultural practices that were fading away.

This revitalisation effort aims to preserve Al-Baha's agricultural heritage while supporting one of its main economic sources. By engaging youth in agriculture, the region hopes to sustain its identity and promote local trade effectively.

With inputs from SPA