Local dates are a major crowd-puller at the Mahaseel Festival, organised for the fifth consecutive year by the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara).

The stalls selling wide variety of dates grown in Qatar as well as honey have witnessed steady influx of buyers from different nationalities due to the high quality and new varieties of these local products offered by participating local farms and Qatari companies.

One of the local companies taking part in the festival is the National Food Manufacturing Company (NAFCO), which sells some of the finest varieties of local dates which have been cleaned, sorted and packed using the latest machines and devices in its factory in Doha. 

Around 12 types of high-quality and luxurious dates such as Mabroum, Safari, Sukari, Khalas, Anabra, Safawi, Ajwa, Sagai, Khoudary, Majdool, Deglet Nour, Bayroom are being sold at NAFCO’s stall. They come in beautiful gift packages perfect for different occasions and celebrations.

A variety of boxes in various sizes are available to meet the desires and needs of consumers which are of high quality and reasonable price. The luxurious dates include those stuffed with nuts, dried fruits and covered with luxurious chocolate as well as date balls which come in different flavours. 

The stalls of Qatari farms Bouthaila,  Aden and Mazraati have a strong presence bringing in popular date varieties such as Khalas, Shishis, Khenizi, Zahidi, Safawi, Sagai and Khoudary. These distinct types of dates distinguished by their sweetness and diversity have made Qatari farms famous in the market.

Visitors and buyers from different spectrums have praised the quality of the date products, their conformity to specifications and standards, the new and innovative methods of preparing and processing them. 

Festival visitors also flocked to buy the finest Qatari honey whose prices vary depending on their types and are known for their taste and variety of flavours. 

Twenty-eight Qatari farms selling fresh vegetables and honey, in addition to stalls of nine national companies offering sheep, cattle, calves, eggs, poultry, milk, and their derivatives in addition to eight stands of nurseries displaying flowers and ornamental plants, are participating in the festival.

The festival located in the Southern Area of Katara is open from 9am to 9pm until January 2, after which the souq will remain operational during Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until the end of March.