Latest news with #dateharvest
Emirates 24/7
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Emirates 24/7
Liwa Date Festival celebrates UAE's cultural, farming legacy
The Liwa Date Festival celebrates the date harvest season in the UAE, which begins every June, through a series of entertainment and heritage activities and competitions. These are part of its 21st edition, taking place from 14th to 27th July in Liwa City, Al Dhafra Region. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the festival reaffirms its commitment to celebrating one of the UAE's most enduring cultural and agricultural traditions. This year's edition features 24 competitions, including 12 date mazayna contests covering categories such as Dabbas, Khalas, Fard, Khenaizi, Buma'an, Shishi, Zamli, the Largest Date Bunch, the Al Dhafra and Liwa Elite Dates competitions, and the Al Ain Fard and Khalas contests. It also includes seven fruit competitions for various local and mixed varieties of lemons, mangoes, red and yellow figs, and the Local Fruits Basket contest. The festival further features three Model Farm competitions across the Western and Eastern Mahadir (agricultural farms) and Al Dhafra cities, as well as contests for the Most Beautiful Palm Frond Basket and artistic creations made from palm trunks. Beyond the competitions, the festival presents a diverse programme of heritage events, daily activities, and cultural initiatives that preserve the legacy of the date palm as a symbol of the UAE's rich heritage and ongoing prosperity. It also promotes family and community ties, encourages intergenerational engagement, and reinforces values of cooperation and belonging, reflecting the spirit of the UAE's Year of the Community. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Arab News
30-06-2025
- Arab News
Early date harvest begins in Al-Ahsa
JEDDAH: As temperatures rise, Al-Ahsa is witnessing the early signs of its annual date harvest, with farmers beginning to reap the season's first rutab — dates in the soft, early-ripening stage of dates. The harvest typically spans May 20 to July 20, marking an important period for both local agriculture and the national date market. This year, markets across Saudi Arabia are preparing to welcome over 20 varieties of premium dates cultivated in Al-Ahsa, including the highly favored Khalas, Shishi, and Ghar varieties. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has confirmed the 2025 rutab season in Al-Ahsa signals a promising yield, with initial quantities already making their way across the Kingdom. Varieties such as Rutab Al-Tayyar, Majnaz, Ghar, Khneizi, Shishi and Khalas are expected to arrive at different stages throughout the harvest period, offering a steady flow of fresh produce. The harvest of the late-season rutab is set to begin in early July and will continue until mid-August, featuring prized varieties like Um Rahim, Zamli, Shahl, and Hilali. Following the rutab season, Al-Ahsa will move into the full date (tamr) harvest from mid-August to early October, with popular varieties such as Shishi, Khalas and Raziz forming the core of this stage. In addition to fresh dates, Al-Ahsa is also known for producing some of the finest varieties for molasses (dibs), including varieties like Marzban, Hatemi and Shahl, highly valued for their rich flavor and syrupy texture. Al-Ahsa, recognized as the largest palm oasis in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to more than 2 million palm trees. Each year, the region produces over 120,000 tons of dates, making it a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's agricultural landscape. With its unique blend of fertile land, deep-rooted heritage, and diverse produce, it continues to be a global center for date cultivation and a vital contributor to the Kingdom's cultural and economic identity.
