Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has opened the Al Dhaid Date Festival 2026, bringing farmers, producers and traders from across the UAE together for four days of auctions, agricultural workshops and direct sales.The sixth edition began on Thursday, 8 October, at Expo Al Dhaid and runs until Sunday, 11 October. Organisers have assembled commercial palm growers, agricultural companies, government bodies, household producers and retailers, placing local date production and marketing at the centre of the programme.
Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, director-general of the chamber, said the event provides a meeting point for participants throughout the palm and date supply chain. Growers can present their produce directly to buyers, compare production practices and discuss ways of improving quality and access to markets.
Premium date auctions started on the opening day, attracting farmers and producers from several emirates. Further sessions are scheduled after Maghrib prayers during the festival, while a dedicated market offers both premium and commercial varieties alongside products associated with date palms.
The auctions are divided into two categories, distinguishing dates grown on farms from those produced by households. Organisers say the separation allows producers operating at different scales to participate under defined entry requirements, with consignments assessed before being offered to buyers.
Only dates produced locally during the 2026 season qualify for auction. Entries must come directly from farms or households and meet quality requirements covering appearance, flavour and freedom from pests or insects. Pressed or bundled dates are not accepted.
Under the conditions published for the opening, each bidder may submit up to 30 kilograms, equivalent to 10 approved cartons, at an auction. A participant can display no more than two varieties within that limit. These conditions differ from higher limits outlined in an earlier announcement, making the opening-day rules the applicable published guidance.
Sellers must register at the designated desk before submitting their produce for classification and weighing by an appointed committee. Each is then assigned a named table and must attend the bidding personally or through a representative. Sales are concluded directly between buyers and sellers by mutual agreement.
Al Awadi said the festival also creates opportunities for farmers and small producers to establish direct contact with consumers. The arrangement gives visitors access to growers who can explain the characteristics of particular varieties and the methods used in cultivation and handling.
The chamber regards the gathering as part of its efforts to support agricultural businesses in Sharjah's central and eastern regions. Its stated objectives include expanding commercial opportunities for locally grown dates and supporting agricultural production as a component of the UAE's food security strategy.
Participation extends beyond established commercial operators. Productive families and home-based businesses are represented alongside larger growers, agricultural specialists and companies offering services to the sector. Their presence broadens the range of suppliers able to display goods and make contact with prospective customers.
The opening also gave traders a chance to inspect dates from multiple suppliers in one location rather than arranging separate farm visits. For smaller producers, the market provides a sales outlet alongside the auction system, which is reserved for consignments meeting its standards. Organisers have not announced a total for participating growers or the value of transactions completed during the opening session, so the scale of commercial activity cannot yet be quantified from the published information.
Educational workshops form another part of the four-day schedule. Sessions address modern farming techniques, care of date palms and methods of improving production quality. Organisers have also highlighted organic cultivation and sustainable practices among the areas in which farmers can exchange knowledge and practical experience.
Mohammed Musabeh Al Tunaiji, the festival's general coordinator, said preparations had been completed before the opening, with the programme designed to build on earlier editions. He identified participation by palm owners from different emirates as an important element of the event's development.
The festival combines its commercial activities with cultural and artistic presentations, including traditional performances linked to the UAE's agricultural heritage. These events are intended to draw visitors beyond the farming community while keeping the date palm and its products as the main attraction.
Visitors can enter the date market daily between 9am and 9pm. Auction consignments are accepted between 2pm and 5pm each day, according to the chamber's opening announcement, allowing time for registration and inspection before evening bidding sessions.
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