Sharjah Chamber to launch Al Dhaid Date Festival 2026 on 8 October with strong participation from date producers and palm owners

Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) is set to launch the sixth edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival at Expo Al Dhaid in Al Dhaid from 8 to 11 October.

The festival will bring together date producers, retailers, farmers, and palm owners from across the UAE to celebrate the date palm tree while supporting the market presence and promotion of Emirati dates in local markets.

It will also feature extensive participation from leading date-palm growers and agricultural experts, alongside agricultural companies, government entities, productive families, and home-based businesses involved in date cultivation, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and business engagement.

H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, said the Al Dhaid Date Festival has become a driver of economic activity in Sharjah’s eastern and central regions. He noted that the festival reflects the Sharjah Chamber’s commitment to supporting the development of the agricultural sector and strengthening its role as a key component of the sustainable national food security ecosystem.

Al Awadi added that the festival provides farmers, agricultural project owners, and productive families with a direct platform to connect with consumers and traders, creating greater opportunities to enhance the value and market potential of locally produced dates.

For his part, Mohammed Musabeh Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of Al Dhaid Date Festival, stated that organisers had finalised the operational plans for the sixth edition, building on the success of the five previous editions.

He noted that the strong attendance and increasing participation of palm owners from across the UAE have further reinforced the festival’s role in equipping farmers with practical knowledge of organic agriculture, sustainability practices, and modern agricultural technologies.

This year’s edition will feature a diverse programme of activities and competitions, including premium date auctions, with valuable prizes allocated to winners, and a dedicated dates market showcasing the finest varieties of dates. The programme will also include a series of expert-led workshops focused on modern agricultural techniques and date-palm care, complemented by cultural and artistic activities and traditional folkloric performances.

The first session of the premium date auctions is set to begin immediately after the official opening ceremony, followed by further auction sessions on the second and third days after Maghrib prayers. The date market will be open daily from 9am to 9pm, while consignments for auction will be accepted between 2pm to 5pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

To join the auction, participants must first complete the official registration form at the registration desk, then submit their dates for classification and weighing by the designated committee. Each participant will be allocated a table in their name, with the requirement to attend in person or through a representative during the bidding, with each sale finalised through agreement between the seller and buyer.

The Organising Committee of the Al Dhaid Date Festival has outlined specific terms and conditions to safeguard auction standards. Eligible dates must be locally produced during the 2026 season and sourced directly from farms or households. Entries must be premium-grade, free from pests, insects, or any apparent defects or abnormal taste or odour. Pressed or bundled dates are excluded.

Each bidder is allowed a maximum entry of 60 kilograms per auction, equivalent to 20 cartons, packed in festival-approved cardboard boxes. Participants may display up to four varieties on their designated table, within the overall permitted weight limit.

The Al Dhaid Date Festival provides a platform for local sellers to promote and market dates and date-based products, while creating opportunities for expertise exchange between farmers and agricultural specialists. Shoppers and visitors can explore a diverse selection of premium and commercial dates, reflecting the richness of the UAE’s date-palm heritage and the diversity of its produce.