Al dhaid: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has announced the upcoming launch of the 10th edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival, set to take place at Expo Al Dhaid from July 23 to 26. The festival will bring together hundreds of palm farmers and date producers from across the UAE.
According to Emirates News Agency, this year's edition marks a significant milestone, celebrating ten years since the festival's inception. It underscores the event's evolution into a crucial platform for supporting sustainable agricultural growth and preserving the Emirati authentic heritage. The announcement was made during a press conference at Expo Al Dhaid, featuring remarks from Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, among other notable figures.
The press conference also included an award ceremony for the winners of the second edition of the 'Bisharat Al-Qaydh' competition. This initiative, launched by the Sharjah Chamber last year, aims to encourage best practices in palm cultivation and reward producers of premium early-season dates. Seventy contestants participated in this year's competition, with 20 winners receiving prizes for their outstanding Naghal date samples from the 2026 crop.
Al Awadi emphasized the festival's role as a leading platform for the agricultural sector, promoting sustainability and preserving the UAE's rich agricultural heritage. He highlighted the festival's impact on connecting date producers and industry experts, facilitating knowledge exchange, and fostering collaboration within the sector.
Saeed bin Fadel Al Ketbi from Al Wusta TV Channel reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the festival through extensive media coverage. This coverage aims to showcase the festival's activities, competitions, and cultural significance.
Mohammed Musabeh Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of the festival, described the 10th edition as a milestone event reflecting a decade of growth and achievement. He noted the Organising Committee's efforts, in collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber, to enhance competition categories and expand educational and cultural initiatives linked to the festival.
Rashid Mohair Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Festival's Screening and Evaluation Committee, assured that rigorous evaluation procedures will be implemented to ensure fairness and transparency across all competitions. This year's festival will feature expanded competitions, including categories for popular date varieties and community-targeted contests, with substantial prizes to encourage participation and reward excellence.
