Khaberni - Jordanian date exports have reached 55 international markets, becoming one of the most prominent products that reflect the quality of local production and its competitiveness in global markets.
The President of the Jordanian Date Association, Engineer Anwar Haddad, in a statement to the Jordanian News Agency (Petra), stated that Jordanian dates are experiencing a wide international demand due to their high quality and distinguished commercial reputation in the markets, noting that the date sector is considered a successful national project, as it has contributed to building an integrated quality system, providing added economic value, and opening export markets, in line with the goals of the economic modernization vision and enhancing national food security.
Haddad explained that Jordan produces about 36,000 tons of various types of dates annually, about 18,000 tons of which are exported to Arab and European markets, with the Jordanian product reaching 55 international markets, while the cultivated areas total about 49,000 dunams, with the possibility of increasing them in the future if additional water resources are available.
Dates grown mostly in the Jordan Valley regions are distinguished by their rich taste and high nutritional value, in addition to the farmers' adoption of modern methods in agriculture and irrigation, which has contributed to improving the quality of the product and increasing its quantities, as well as the efforts of the government and private sector investments playing a prominent role in enhancing the status of Jordanian dates as a distinguished national product that enjoys a good reputation internationally.
Haddad added that about 80 percent of date production is mechanically packaged in private workshops to maintain quality, noting that the date sector has provided job opportunities for about 12,000 people, half of them women, and requires labor throughout the year, which ensures a level of job security.
He confirmed that the association provides various forms of support to palm farmers, including providing knowledge and information about the nature of markets, production levels, imports, and exports, and sending monthly messages containing farming guidance, in addition to defending their interests regarding taxes and customs duties, with the aim of relieving them and encouraging them to continue farming.
Haddad pointed out that the association coordinates with the Ministries of Agriculture and Water, organizes local and international exhibitions, participates in external events, and continuously strives to provide support to enhance these participations and expand the presence of Jordanian dates internationally.
He mentioned that the most prominent challenges facing date farmers are climate changes and their impacts, in addition to the spread of new insects due to weather conditions. He explained that the association communicates with European countries to reduce the use of insecticides that might leave residues affecting the quality of the product, by enhancing the resistance of palm trees to pests using fertilizers and better water management.
