The Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre (ADFSC) and its retail brand Local Harvest are to market fresh dates (rutab) on behalf of Abu Dhabi farmers this summer date season, which will run until August 15.
Local Harvest is currently procuring 600kg of fresh dates per day from a select group of farmers for supply to major retailers.
ADFSC CEO Chris Hirst said: "As part of Local Harvest’s continuing mission to open up marketing channels for farmers, we are proud to deliver locally grown dates to major retailers in the UAE."
Local Harvest first started marketing local dates in 2012. The firm has strict guidelines defining quality and ADFSC has worked closely with farmers to increase quality levels to meet and exceed these guidelines.
Hirst added: "We have been working extensively with farmers to improve date palm health and the quality of the fruit since the inception of ADFSC in 2009."
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He continued: "On the production side we’ve seen fruit size and quality improve significantly and on the marketing side we’ve seen demand for locally grown dates increase all of which is good news for local growers."
Many farmers have contracts for dried dates with the Al Foah Company. Prior to ADFSC’s arrangement with farmers, surplus fresh dates were used as livestock feed, given away or wasted.
Under the ADFSC scheme, farmers will be able to meet their supply requirements with Al Foah and still sell a small percentage of their crop to ADFSC resulting in an extra income stream for the participating farmers.
Farmers deliver the fresh dates to one of Local Harvest’s pack houses in plastic crates, where they will undergo a number of quality tests. Local Harvest then packages the dates and delivers them to retail outlets across the UAE.
A wide variety of fresh dates will be offered, including Birhi, Naghal, Khinaizi, Sukkari, Shishi, Khalas, Abu maan, Suggi’i, Lulu and Hilali.
Local Harvest packs and distributes a variety of fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy and honey products all locally grown in Abu Dhabi. The fresh dates are currently available in prepackaged boxes of 500g, 1kg and 2kg from Souqs, Spinney's, Lulu, Carrefour, Choithram’s and Geant.
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