Doha, July 28 (QNA) - Qatar's 11th Local Dates Festival has created a buzz with roughly 20,000 visitors and sales of 41 tons of locally grown dates over the first three days, the Ministry of Municipality has said. 
A ministry statement on Tuesday said the Khalas variety was the best-selling, with 17 tons sold. It was followed by the Shishi and Khenaizi varieties, each recording sales of 8.3 tons, while Barhi and other varieties accounted for 4.2 tons each.
Organized by the ministry, in collaboration with the Souq Waqif management, the exhibition features 114 farms producing fresh dates and 11 farms offering seasonal fruits, providing visitors with a wide selection of locally grown produce. 
The Ministry of Municipality said the event is part of its work to support Qatar's agricultural sector, promote locally grown products and motivate consumers to buy Qatari dates, contributing to food security and agricultural sustainability.
The festival is being held at the eastern square of Souq Waqif and runs until August 10, 2026. It is open from 16:00 to 21:00 from Sunday to Thursday, and from 16:00 to 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. (QNA)