Many Medjool growers of different origins are reporting a growing demand for organic Medjool dates, some of them even announcing a transition to partial or total organic production. For his part, Ramadan Elsayyad, of the Egyptian company Palm Hills, has a different view.
Ramadan states: "In the last ten years, I've only been asked for organic Medjool dates twice, despite having participated as an exhibitor at major events such as Fruit Attraction and Fruit Logistica. These requests came from customers suggesting that we switch to organic production on a small part of our acreage. In any case, there may well be the beginnings of a trend for organic medjool dates. However, for us, this change is not crucial, is not justified, and is fraught with challenges. In other words, we have no plans to switch to organic Medjool growing anytime soon."
The grower defends his choice: "We already sell our dates free of pesticide residues. The switch to organic production is therefore neither necessary nor justified. Under organic regulations, the transition from conventional to organic farming is not straightforward, and generally takes at least three years. During this period, growers have to comply with organic farming rules, which often involve a significant reduction in production of at least 75% of normal yields. It can be easier to start a new crop on virgin land. In this case, it is essential to use organic seedlings, and if these are not available locally, it may be necessary to use conventional seedlings, which further complicates the process."
Ramadan adds that the market for organic medjool dates is much smaller than many people think. He says, "The market is not established at all. In addition to the years needed to transition production, it will also take a long time to establish a market. We mustn't forget that organic production will result in much higher prices, coupled with insufficient volumes due to lower yields, which will undoubtedly hinder sales."
"Meanwhile, we're seeing a strong and growing demand for conventional medjool dates, which remain among the most nutrient-rich foods, and whose volumes and prices are helping to expand the consumer base. Organic production can perhaps be used as a selling point and a differentiation tool, but first, we need to think about its feasibility," Ramadan concludes.
For more information:
Ramadan Elsayyad
Palm Hills Dates
Tel: +20 102 008 4117
Email: [email protected]
www.palmhillsdates.com