Saudi Arabia Showcases Saudi Dates, Coffee at World Water Forum

The Kingdom ranks among the top 10 coffee-consuming nations globally - SPA
The Kingdom ranks among the top 10 coffee-consuming nations globally - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Showcases Saudi Dates, Coffee at World Water Forum

The Kingdom ranks among the top 10 coffee-consuming nations globally - SPA
The Kingdom ranks among the top 10 coffee-consuming nations globally - SPA

The Saudi pavilion at the World Water Forum Exhibition in Indonesia, held from May 18 to 25, garnered significant attention from visitors. Saudi hospitality, exemplified by the quality and variety of dates and coffee on offer, proved a major draw, SPA reported.
Saudi coffee, presented as a symbol of hospitality, added a unique cultural touch to the pavilion. The Kingdom's diverse and flavorful dates impressed attendees, enhancing the positive image of Saudi agricultural products on the international stage.
Saudi Arabia's date exports saw a 14% increase in 2023, reaching a value of SAR 1.462 billion compared to SAR 1.280 billion in 2022. The number of countries importing Saudi dates has grown to 119, with exports of dates and by-products experiencing a staggering 152.5% increase since 2016, reaching SAR 1.462 billion by the end of 2023.
The Kingdom ranks among the top 10 coffee-consuming nations globally, exceeding 80,000 tons annually. This high per capita consumption translates to an estimated 70,000–90,000 tons of coffee imported into Saudi markets each year.

Saudis spend over SAR 1 billion annually on coffee preparation, prompting significant efforts to increase coffee cultivation and production through establishing 60 model coffee farms on agricultural terraces. These initiatives aim to strengthen food security in rural areas and boost overall agricultural output.
The organizers expressed pride in the presence of the Kingdom at this crucial international forum. They emphasized that Saudi participation extended beyond product displays, also highlighting the nation's efforts to improve sustainable agriculture and promote water efficiency, aligning with the World Water Forum's global objectives.



Flooding Hits China’s South, Temperatures Sizzle Elsewhere

 Visitors to a mall cool off near a mist machine during the summer heat in Beijing, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP)
Visitors to a mall cool off near a mist machine during the summer heat in Beijing, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP)
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Flooding Hits China’s South, Temperatures Sizzle Elsewhere

 Visitors to a mall cool off near a mist machine during the summer heat in Beijing, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP)
Visitors to a mall cool off near a mist machine during the summer heat in Beijing, Saturday, June 15, 2024. (AP)

China's National Meteorological Center on Sunday issued an alert for high temperatures as multiple regions across the country experience sweltering heat, while many southern provinces issued severe flood warnings due to heavy rains.

The intensity of high temperatures is expected to decrease in north China and regions between the Yellow River and the Huaihe River, the center said.

The center forecast maximum temperatures of 37-39 degrees Celsius (99-102 degrees Fahrenheit) in parts of Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Henan on Sunday.

Heavy rains have lashed southeastern Fujian province for seven days and are expected to continue, with water levels in some rivers exceeding warning levels.

Authorities have released water from several reservoirs, China's state television CCTV reported.

Authorities in Guangxi region said water levels of some local rivers had "skyrocketed" and that a student was killed in the floods in the southern city of Guilin, CCTV reported.