Slaimiya launches the 2026 date harvest season, with a projected production of 28,860 tons and an export value reaching 500 million shekels.

• Expected production of 28,860 tons and 361,000 date palm trees distributed across more than 889 farms.
• Investment in the sector is estimated at 2.1 billion shekels, providing approximately 7,000 job opportunities; 85% of the workforce in packing houses are women.
• Slaimiya: Governance of the date sector was developed in collaboration with partners over three years to protect the sector, boost production, and maximize exports.

Jericho and the Jordan Valley: September 30, 2026

Minister of Agriculture Professor Rizq Slaimiya , in the presence of the Governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley, Dr. Hussein Hamayel, announced the launch of the 2026 date harvesting season. The announcement was made during an event held on the lands of the Arab Construction Project, with the participation of the Date Palm Growers Association, the Exporters Union, the Farmers Union, Chambers of Commerce, and various farmers, institutions, and stakeholders associated with the date sector.
Minister Slaimiya emphasized that the Palestinian date sector is currently one of the most important agricultural sectors due to its contributions to the national economy, employment, and the enhancement of agricultural exports. He noted that official estimates for the current season's production stand at 28,860 tons.
Slaimiya explained that field data indicates a total of approximately 361,000 date palm trees—including about 350,000 fruit-bearing trees and 11,000 non-fruit-bearing trees in modern farms—distributed across more than 889 farms. The Minister explained that the Ministry’s teams conducted field operations to estimate production and verify data. These efforts included visiting and assessing over 170 farms—each with more than 500 palm trees—as well as visiting another 100 farms with fewer than 500 trees to audit their data, thereby enhancing the accuracy of sector-related statistics and information.
Slaimiya stated that the date sector constitutes an integrated economic and agricultural ecosystem. He noted that the sector is valued at approximately 2.1 billion shekels and provides employment for around 7,000 workers—85% of whom are women, primarily employed in packing facilities—reflecting the sector's economic and social significance and its role in job creation.
The Minister added that Palestinian dates enjoy a strong presence in foreign markets, noting that exports last season reached approximately 17,000 tons, valued at over 400 million shekels. He emphasized the importance of continuing to enhance the competitiveness of Palestinian dates and strengthening their presence in both local and global markets.
Slaimiya also indicated that the Ministry is working to improve governance within the date sector by developing systems for data, estimates, and statistics, and by fostering coordination among the various stakeholders involved. These measures aim to improve planning, production, marketing, and export processes, while enhancing the overall management efficiency of this vital sector. The Minister affirmed that the Ministry would continue working with farmers and relevant stakeholders to advance the date palm sector, address the challenges it faces, and bolster its capacity for sustainability and expansion—thereby benefiting farmers and supporting the national agricultural economy.
For his part, the Governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley, Dr. Hussein Hamayel, emphasized the importance of the date palm sector in the governorate and its role in supporting the local economy and strengthening the resilience of farmers. He commended the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and its technical teams in monitoring the sector and collaborating with farmers.
The event was attended by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Eng. Badr Al-Hawamdeh, along with assistant undersecretaries, the Director General of Jericho and Jordan Valley Agriculture Directorate, and the directorate’s staff.
The launch of the 2026 date harvest season is part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s ongoing annual oversight of the date palm sector, aimed at ensuring sectoral readiness, supporting farmers, enhancing product quality, and improving marketing and export opportunities.