BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The International Date Fair scheduled in Algiers from November 15 to 18 aims to be an opportunity to explore and promote various date varieties destined for the national and international markets, announced the organizers of this economic event on Thursday.
During a press conference marking the first edition of this fair held at the Palace of Expositions under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hamid Bensaad, the ministry’s Secretary-General, highlighted that this event provides a chance to discover over 800 date varieties, including rare and labeled types like Deglet Nour.
Thanks to incentive measures and technical support for producers in this sector, the national date production has increased to 1.4 million tons per year, according to Mr. Bensaad, positioning Algeria among the pioneering countries in this field.
Addressing the use of pesticides to combat pests affecting dates, such as Boufaroua and the date moth, Bensaad stated that the ministry employs pesticides conforming to international standards to protect palm trees. Out of 18 million producing palm trees, three million have been treated, ensuring the sector maintains control over the quality of the national product to strengthen its position in global markets.
In this context, Bensaad revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture, in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, is on the verge of establishing a new body that will encompass all national laboratories under the auspices of both ministries. This initiative aims to enhance the quality control of agricultural production, including dates.
Mohamed Yazid Hambli, the President of the National Chamber of Agriculture (CNA), emphasized the necessity of promoting the date industry by organizing economic events to showcase and boost this product. He pointed out that dates lead Algeria’s list of agri-food exports.
The Salon aims to provide an opportunity for local and foreign stakeholders to meet, further promoting date exports and reinforcing their position in international markets, added Hambli. The fair also seeks to introduce different date varieties and derivative products while supporting the processing industry in this domain.
According to Hambli, the event offers a chance to present various date varieties to the residents of Algiers and its surroundings.
Messaoud Guemari, President of the Chamber of Biskra, highlighted the high demand for Algerian dates abroad. Besides the well-known “Deglet Nour” variety, favored in European markets, other local varieties have successfully gained prominence globally, especially in Asia and Africa.
Rabah Ouled Haddar, President of the local chamber of Ghardaia, stressed that the date industry and the expansion of palm groves contribute to sustainable development. He highlighted the social dimensions of this sector, constituting a financial resource for the inhabitants of the South. Algeria boasts 24 provinces producing dates.
Salem Saad, the representative of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (OADA), praised the fruitful technical cooperation between the ministry and OADA for improving agricultural production and development. He noted that the majority of date-producing countries are Arab nations.
Organized by the National Chamber of Agriculture in collaboration with OADA, the International Date Fair is set to host 150 exhibitors, including producers, processors, researchers, exporters, as well as associations, cooperatives, and local and foreign business operators from Libya, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Conferences and workshops on dates are also scheduled alongside the fair, with the participation of experts and specialists aiming to exchange knowledge on the development of the date sector.
