Qatar- Fresh dates to hit market after Ramadan
(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Dates start to ripen as the mercury rises in the region with summer months fast approaching. Pic: Kammutty V P/The Peninsula
DOHA: Not many varieties of fresh dates would be available to make Iftar meals sweeter this Ramadan, as the fasting month arrives before the fruit is ready to be picked.
Date farmers say that the good rains that the country received this year could boost production and earn them good money.
Good quality fresh dates are expected to begin coming from local farms to the market only after Ramadan. However, some unpopular varieties may be available by mid-Ramadan.
Shopkeepers at the Omani Market — a well known traditional market for dates near the Doha central market — are expecting some types of fresh dates from neighbouring countries, especially Oman and Saudi Arabia during the first week of Ramadan.
Dates see huge demand during Ramadan, being an essential component of Iftar”. If ready in Ramadan the farmers could make good money from fresh dates.
Expatriates going on vacation also take fresh and dried dates in large quantities back home to give as a special gift to friends and relatives.
“Watering and cleaning palm trees are very necessary for a good harvest but at the same time it is a very painful job, especially the cleaning,” said Danish, an expatriate labourer working in a farm near Al Khor city.
Harvest of quality dates begins from July 10
Usually work in date farms begins in the first week of March.
“The heavy rains in Qatar that lasted for two days in March came as a great help for workers caring palm trees like me. The rains not only watered the palm trees but also washed them clean,” said Danish.
“Green dates look better on the trees this year compared to last year and we expect a better harvest,” he added. There are some 2,000 palm trees of different types at the farm he works which has employed three people.
Usually harvest of good quality dates like shishi, rutab and khalas begins from July 10.
“ At least there is one type of date- I do not know the name- that ripens by June 20. It comes in very small quantities and when good quality dates enter the market, people stop eating it. We pluck it for personal use but we do not take it to the market,” said Danish.
“ When the harvest season begins, we take some 50 boxes of dates to the central market for sale on a daily basis. A 8kg box of good quality fresh dates costs QR100 in the beginning of the season. Gradually the prices will fall,” he added.
The Peninsula