Al Dhaid Date Festival kicks off on Thursday at Expo Al Dhaid

October 01, 2025 / 2:25 PM

Sharjah24: The fifth edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival will launch on Thursday, at Expo Al Dhaid and will run through October 5. Organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the event brings together date producers, farmers, palm owners, and retailers from across the UAE to promote palm cultivation and reinforce Sharjah’s position as a hub for premium date production.

Participation from farmers, companies, and families

The festival gathers leading Emirati palm farmers, major agricultural companies, and government entities, alongside home-based entrepreneurs and families active in the date industry. It provides a platform for knowledge exchange, showcasing produce, and fostering connections among farmers, experts, and industry stakeholders.

Heritage and cultural activities

This year’s edition will feature a premium date auction, a dedicated market for the finest date varieties, and folkloric performances that highlight the UAE’s rich cultural heritage. Workshops and seminars led by agricultural experts will also be held, focusing on best practices in palm care and modern farming techniques.

Strategic objectives of the festival

Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, said the festival reflects the Chamber’s strategic goals of empowering local farmers, boosting production, increasing exports, and strengthening food security. He emphasized the Chamber’s commitment to hosting events that combine economic, agricultural, and heritage objectives while engaging youth in farming and supporting agribusinesses.

Strengthening Al Dhaid’s role

Mohammed Musabeh Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of the festival, underlined that since its launch in 2020, the event has become a regional platform for agriculture and heritage. He highlighted its contribution to Sharjah’s Eastern and Central regions by positioning Al Dhaid as a major agribusiness hub known for the diversity and quality of its dates.

Premium date auction and market schedule

The premium date auction will open immediately after the official ceremony on Thursday, October 2, followed by additional auctions after Maghrib prayers on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Date Market will run daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with consignments accepted between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. during the first three days.

To participate, sellers must register at the festival desk, submit their dates for classification and weighing, and attend the auction personally or via a representative. Transactions will be conducted directly between buyers and sellers based on an average price per kilogram.

Auction standards and conditions

The Organising Committee has set strict standards to ensure quality. Only dates from the UAE’s 2025 harvest are eligible, and they must be of premium quality, pest-free, and free from defects or abnormal taste. Pressed or bundled dates are not accepted.

Each participant may enter up to 60 kilograms per auction (20 cartons) using official festival packaging, and may display up to four varieties within this limit.