Medjool And Barhi Dates, The Anticipated Palestinian Oil
Palestine And the Palms
Palestine is known for the cultivation of palm trees for thousands of years, and gained the attention and care of the Palestinian farmer, as the tree has a social and economic great value; for its commercial, nutritional and healthy value. These trees are characterized by the low need for water, and the ability to bear the high levels of salinity and the harsh conditions.
Palestine began the investment in dates cultivation in 2005, as this cultivation is concentrated in the city of Jericho, which is known as “the city of palm trees”. Due to a large number of palm farms in it, and in the Jordan Valley, which is considered one of the most fertile Palestinian lands, which are suitable for palm cultivation and the production of the finest dates that can compete in international markets, and also in Gaza Strip, especially in the cities of Deir Al-Balah and Khan Yunis.
According to the statistics of 2018, the number of palm trees in Jericho governorate reached about 147 thousand trees, distributed over more than 15 thousand dunums, where one dunum accommodates up to 14 palm trees. One eight-year-old palm produces between 100-120 kilos of dates, where the production of Jericho represents 78% of the total production of dates in Palestine, while in Gaza Strip, the number of palm trees is about 250 thousand, of which 150 thousand are produced. The average production of each tree ranges between 100-300 kg, most of which are grown in the south of the Strip.
These palm farms are considered self-sufficiency for the Palestinians, as large quantities of surplus dates production are exported to nearly 26 countries. Therefore, it highlights the high quality of the Palestinian product at the level of the global market. It also highlights the resources and capabilities that Palestine has; it is a fertile land full of investment opportunities.
The Most Important Types of Dates in Palestine:
1.Medjool Dates:
Palestine is the second-largest producer of Medjool dates in the world, as these dates are distinguished by being one of the finest types of dates produced at the Palestinian, regional and global levels because they are grown in areas below the sea level, in which, the percentage of oxygen increases and the temperature rises, which helps in ripeness the dates and improving their quality and makes its flavor and color distinctive.
The Characteristics of Medjool Palm Tree:
The trunk of the tree is medium in size, its fronds are short with medium bent, the bases of the fronds are medium in width, and they have brown lines or spots in the middle. The number of thorns on one frond ranges between 30-38. Although the Medjool dates are considered soft, its meat is more solid than some other types of dates. Its fruits are subjected to some slight damages due to rain and high humidity. The size of the Medjool fruits varies from small to medium, to large. Its shape is oval-rectangular, yellow-orange in color, topped with thin lines, reddish-brown in the Khalal stage. It turns into amber color when it ripens and becomes moist, and then the color of Medjool dates becomes reddish-brown covered with a light waxy layer. Its crust is medium-thick and attached to the meat, it shrinks and forms many coarse wrinkles. The thickness of the meat ranges between 0.5-0.7 cm. Its texture is soft and low in fibers, its taste is delicious, and it is a premature sort. The output of one Medjool palm tree ranges between 80-120 kg.
2.Barhi Dates:
Dates of this type are distinguished by their sweetness taste and abundance of production. It is a type with high economic feasibility.
The Characteristics of Barhi Palm Tree:
The Barhi tree is large, its trunk is huge, and its frond is long, thick in leaves, slightly bent, the thorn area is about 1/5 of the length of the frond and most of the thorns are doubled. The palm branches are tall and thick, yellow-orange and curved. Therefore, this type is considered one of the most beautiful forms of palm trees.
During Khalal stage, Barhi dates will have a bright yellow color, one of the cheeks of the fruit tends to be orange, it is almost free from Tannin substance, therefore it is eaten in the Khalal, Rutab, and Tamar stages. Barhi rutab is preferred to most varieties of dates. Barhi dates are brownish yellow, its fruit is soft in shape, oval convex, and its peel is thin, separated from the flesh, usually, in some parts of the fruit. the flesh is thick without fibers, tastes delicious, ripens in late October and November. The output of one Barhi palm tree is more than 150 kg.
We, at Pal Gardens Agricultural Company, one of the Sinokrot Holding Companies, are distinguished in cultivating and packing one of the most famous and finest types of dates and the most beneficial food, which is Medjool Dates. To know more about our company please follow us on social networks.
Sources
https://info.wafa.ps/ar_page.aspx?id=8701
https://www.rmix.ps/archives/176057.https://www.saentrepreneurs.ch/index.php/magazine-27/item/167-2016-10-01-15-53-18
https://www.albayan.ae/one-world/arabs/2019-10-04-1.3664788
