The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has completed preparations for the 9th edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival, scheduled to take place from July 23 to 27 at Expo Al Dhaid.
Recognized as one of the country’s leading heritage and agricultural events, the Al Dhaid Date Festival promotes palm cultivation and sustainable agricultural practices, supporting national food security and enhancing date quality. The festival will bring together palm farmers, date producers, agricultural organizations, and home based businesses from across the UAE.
The Al Dhaid Date Festival also serves as a key platform for encouraging the use of advanced farming techniques among Emirati farmers. Cultural and heritage themed activities, along with workshops focused on modern agricultural methods and palm tree care, will be held throughout the festival. These events are designed to promote agricultural innovation and enhance knowledge exchange among farmers, experts, and youth in the field.
HE Mohammad Amin Al Awadi, Director General of SCCI, emphasized that the festival aligns with Sharjah’s strategic vision of promoting sustainable food security through agriculture that combines inherited traditions with modern technologies.
HE Mohammad Amin Al Awadi Director General- SCCI
“Al Dhaid Date Festival serves as a vital platform to support agricultural growth in Sharjah, enabling hundreds of farmers to adopt best practices, innovate, and engage in knowledge sharing with investors and young entrepreneurs. This contributes to economic empowerment, promotes palm cultivation as a strategic crop, and strengthens Al Dhaid’s position as a leading agricultural and tourism destination.”
The competition schedule includes ‘Best Lemons’, ‘Fig Contest’ and ‘Ratb Al Kharaif Beauty’ on July 23, ‘Khneizi Dates Beauty’ on July 24, ‘Al-Khalas Dates Beauty’ on July 25, and the ‘Shishi Dates’ competition on July 26. The final day, July 27, will feature the announcement of winners for ‘General Dhaid Elite Dates’ and ‘Northern Emirates Dhaid Elite Dates’.
Eligibility conditions for the Al Dhaid Date Festival require participants to use only locally grown dates from their own farms for the 2025 season. Dates must be ripe, clean, free of pests, weigh 4kg, and be presented in traditional baskets.
Specific rules apply for elite, lemon, and fig contests. The home grown date competition is limited to women from the Northern Emirates, while the children’s contest is open only to participants from Sharjah’s Central Region, fostering community engagement and inclusivity.
