Saudi coastal city of Al-Qunfudah on the Red Sea is celebrating the 13th season of its mango festival this week

This week marks the 13th season of the mango festival at the Red Sea coastal city of Al-Qunfudah, Saudi Arabia. The event, which started on Tuesday and will go for five days, is being organized by the Makkah division of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. 

The festival's organizers want to boost the Kingdom's agricultural sector, assist farmers with marketing, and raise awareness of mangoes and other agricultural goods. Locally cultivated mango varieties in Al-Qunfudah include Tommy Atkins, Sensation, and Langra. 

According to the Saudi Press Agency, there are over 3,000 farmers in the city who are the owners of about 500,000 mango trees, yielding over 45,000 tons of mangos a year. 

Governor of the Makkah Region Prince Khalid Al-Faisal and Director General of the Makkah Region branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Majid Al-Khalif are among the guests attending the mango festival.

The event offers visitor activities such a heritage zone, contests with awards, games, and farmer education sessions. Mangoes have been grown by Saudi Arabian farmers for more than fifty years. March marks the start of the production season; harvesting typically takes place in May and lasts for three months. The governorates of Sabya, Abu Arish, Al-Darb, Samtah, and Baish in Jazan are among those where the seasonal fruit is grown.