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JEDDAH: From the humble iftar plate to grand festivals, dates are essential for Saudi cuisine and social traditions.

Their rich flavor, nourishing qualities, and deep-rooted historic significance make them a cherished part of Ramadan and daily life for Saudis and Muslims everywhere.

Served alone or paired with cream, ghee, or coffee, dates are typically the first bite taken after a long day of fasting, following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, which said: “When one of you breaks his fast, let him break it with dates, for they are a blessing; and if he cannot find dates, then with water, for it is pure.”

Their natural sweetness and rich nutritional content make them the ideal choice to renew energy levels in the body.

Consumer preferences for dates vary across Saudi Arabia’s regions, reflecting agricultural diversity and local traditions.

In the Central Region, there is high demand for sukkari, medjool, and wanana dates, while, in the Western Region, khodari, safri, and barni types are usually preferred.

In the Eastern Region, Al-Ahsa’s renowned khalas and burji dates are widely consumed.

The people of the Southern Region primarily choose sukkari, khalas, safri, and barni, while the Northern Region of the country tends to favor barni, barhi, and hilwah dates.

Ajwa dates are popular across all regions, as many seek to follow the Sunnah in which the variety was mentioned.

Abdulhady Al-Suqair, a veteran date farmer and investor from AlUla, told Arab News: “Different regions favor specific types of dates based on agricultural factors and nutritional value.

“Some buyers choose dates specifically for producing date syrup, while others prefer high-moisture varieties for use in various processed and marketing applications.”

For some people, selecting the right date variety is a personal tradition. Abeer Al-Ghamdi, from Jeddah, said: “For me, every Ramadan season we specify a day for dates shopping, from Bab Makkah and Al-Dahri where there is a wide variety.

“However, barni dates are my favorite and a must during Ramadan. This type features a texture that is just perfect: not too dry, not too soft. I also sometimes get it from local markets in Madinah.”

Nora Al-Rashid, from Riyadh, favors a different variety, saying: “Sukkari dates are my family’s favorite. They’re naturally caramel-like and melt in the mouth.

“We always stock up on them from the Qassim markets before Ramadan begins. I like to enjoy them with tahini and Saudi coffee before the main iftar meal during the holy month of Ramadan.”

As Ramadan approaches, the demand for dates surges, leading to higher market availability and increased prices. 

Al-Suqair said: “In childhood I worked alongside my father on his farm, developing with him — may he rest in peace — various farming techniques and methods for preserving and marketing the harvest.

“From him I learned how to care for palm trees, harvest dates, and properly store them for extended periods. I witnessed the evolution of storing barni dates, from using palm-frond containers at the time to metal tins, then plastic buckets, and eventually to processing them in specialized factories for date-based food products.

“Farmers now prioritize quality over quantity, carefully nurturing date palms by ensuring optimal irrigation and organic fertilization. This meticulous care results in premium-sized dates with enhanced taste, as each palm produces a carefully regulated yield.”

He added: “Many farmers use fresh well water for irrigation if their primary water source is high in salinity or bitterness. Additionally, they invest in specialized cold storage to maintain freshness, preventing dates from drying out or losing their flavor.”

Dates can be eaten fresh but are also an ingredient in various traditional and modern dishes. They are also used in beverages and desserts.

Al-Suqair said: “Dates in Ramadan are looked on as a very special ingredient in the Saudi traditional kitchen, so they are paired with traditional foods such as ghee, butter, wild sesame, millet, and corn.

“(They are) used in baking for date-based pastries and desserts, processed into special items such as date cakes, biscuits, and porridges, and blended into Ramadan beverages, providing a natural energy boost after fasting.”

Though dates are associated with Ramadan, they remain a daily staple in Saudi households. They are often served with coffee as a gesture of hospitality, and as an Arabic saying attests: “Dates are the food of the poor and the dessert of the rich.”

Gifting dates is also a time-honored Ramadan practice, and Al-Suqair said: “One of the most cherished Ramadan traditions is exchanging gifts, and dates are a popular choice.

“People often give their neighbors, friends and family the finest dates from their region, or the variety they enjoy the most.”

Several well-known date festivals celebrate the fruit’s significance in Saudi culture around the Kingdom every year — Buraidah, Unaizah, and AlUla.

The AlUla Date Festival stands out for having revived the ancient practice of shannah, a traditional method of preserving dates from harvest season until Ramadan.

Saudi Arabia’s rich agricultural landscape has made it a leader in date production, with its different regions cultivating distinctive varieties to reflect unique environments.

And, over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has been dedicated to elevating the value of its dates, both locally and internationally. This commitment has led to the establishment of key organizations like the National Center for Palms and Dates, and the International Dates Council, which includes 11 date-producing countries.

With over 33 million palm trees accounting for 27 percent of the world’s total, and 123,000 palm farms across the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia is a global leader in date cultivation.

Market trends reflect this growth, with the industry expected to expand from $120 million in 2023 to $220 million by 2032, at a steady annual growth rate of 5.22 percent, according to Market Research Future.

Some 700 tonnes of Saudi dates will be distributed across 102 countries during Ramadan as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Gift Program for Providing Dates.