Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Emirati date farmers are looking forward to bountiful harvests this season. They are all set to fill baskets with premium dates of dozens of varieties, each grown with generations-old traditions paired with modern agricultural innovation.
Fahad Alhammadi, a 34-year-old government employee who produces dates at home, expects "high-quality local varieties" to hit markets this season, thanks to favourable weather and farmers' year-round dedication to maintaining their palm trees.
"Emirati rutab (semi-ripe, freshly harvested dates) is known for its natural sweetness, balanced flavour and high quality," Alhammadi told Aletihad.
"Consumers trust locally grown dates because of the care farmers invest in palm cultivation and because rutab is deeply connected to the UAE's heritage and traditions."
Sultan Al Baloushi, a government employee who also specialises in date cultivation, agreed that what sets Emirati dates apart is the attention given to growing the palm trees.
"Many farmers continue to develop and improve different varieties, producing dates that vary in flavour, appearance, and production cycles," Al Baloushi told Aletihad.
Every region of the UAE has its own signature date variety, he said. Fardh, dabbas, zamli, and Umm Al Dahin are popular in Al Dhafra, while tharab, ikhlas, bumaan, and naghal are sought-after in Al Ain, he added.
Alhammadi said premium dates are easy to recognise at market stalls: they have a consistent colour, are properly ripened, feel soft without being mushy, and are free of cracks or damage.
Growing Dates the Emirati Way
Producing high-quality rutab takes a lot of hard work that begins as soon as the previous season ends, the experts said.
Palm trees rest after each harvest season, but farmers use that time to plan fertilisation, irrigation and maintenance, Al Baloushi said.
"Proper fertilisation, balanced irrigation, and continuous care throughout the year all influence the final size, quality and flavour of the fruit," he added.
Climate remains one of the most significant factors influencing harvest quantity and quality, he said. The rains this year, for example, affected the pace of fruit development and ripening, while also boosting production in several regions.
Then, there's also the innovation factor. Alhammadi said modern irrigation systems help farmers use water more efficiently, while advanced fertilisation and pest management techniques improve the health of trees.
"New tools for pollination and harvesting have also helped increase production while maintaining the quality of the fruit," he added. Despite the growing availability of imported fruits and shifting consumer preferences, Alhammadi believes the Emirati rutab will always hold a special place at gatherings and celebrations across the country.
"Rutab is not simply a food product," he said. "It is a component of who we are as a country. It can be found in our homes, get-togethers, and hospitality customs, and people's interest in natural, locally grown food is increasing."
A Custom to Pass On
This season, in fact, goes beyond the harvest - it's also about the Emirati tradition of sharing dates with family, neighbours and friends.
"It is a custom that we were raised with, and our parents always saw it as a component of the virtues of kindness and neighbourliness," said Rashid Al Ali, a 67-year-old Emirati.
For him, it's an opportunity to reconnect with friends and loved ones and strengthen social ties. Lifestyles may have changed but this tradition, he added, has stood the test of time.
"The joy on the faces of people who receive the dates lends this custom a unique and priceless significance," Al Ali said.
Another senior Emirati, Mohammed Obaid, makes it a point to pass on these values to the children in the family, in the same way his parents and grandparents did with him. "This custom fosters a sense of love and togetherness among society's members and strengthens ties within the community," he said.
All these traditions make the dates season "one of the most beautiful times of the year", added UAE national Saeed Al Mansoori. "And it's because of the unique social atmosphere it brings."
