Amman:The eighth edition of the Jordan International Dates Festival has officially commenced in Amman under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II. The festival, which began on Tuesday, is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, a part of the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy Foundation at the Presidential Court of the United Arab Emirates.
According to Jordan News Agency, the festival is held in cooperation with the Jordan Dates Association and the Jordan Dates Cooperative. Agriculture Minister Saeb Khreisat highlighted the festival's inception in 2018 and its institutional growth through partnerships with key organizations. He emphasized the deep-rooted history of date palms in the region, with studies indicating their presence in Jordan for around 3,000 years.
The date industry in Jordan is a significant economic contributor, generating over $60 million in exports and supporting around 12,000 jobs. Minister Khreisat noted that investment in palm cultivation is approximately $600 million, with a substantial portion of the workforce being women. He also praised the global reputation of Jordan's Medjool dates, attributing their quality to the unique climate and geographical conditions of the Jordan Valley.
The festival features a specialized exhibition with participation from 14 foreign countries and a scientific symposium focused on artificial intelligence and digitization. It also includes an international buyer program, which has attracted about 80 global buyers to Amman since its launch in 2018. The event also saw several agreements being signed and honored winners of the eighth Jordanian dates competition.
UAE Ambassador to Jordan Sultan Al Shamsi highlighted the festival as a testament to the strong relations and strategic partnership between Jordan and the UAE. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two nations, effective since May 2025, further enhances trade and investment opportunities. The UAE's commitment to water security and food security, alongside its pioneering work in the date palm sector, underscores its collaborative efforts with Jordan.
The festival is supported by various regional and international organizations, including FAO, ICARDA, MIN, and others dedicated to agricultural development and research.