Shiraz — Date harvesting has begun in Iran’s Fars Province, the country’s leading date-producing region in south, with output expected to reach 450,000 tons this year, according to the provincial Agricultural Organization.

 

Ahad Bahjat-Haqiqi, head of the organization, said harvesting began in early September with early-ripening varieties such as Kabkab rutab and will continue through late November, covering mid- and late-season varieties including Khassui, Shahani, Piarom and Medjool.

 

Fars is expected to produce the forecast volume from 49,000 hectares of date orchards across 22 counties. Major production centers include Qir and Karzin, Kazerun, Jahrom and Farashband, which benefit from favorable climatic conditions, he added.

 

“The province is a leading producer of commercial varieties such as Kabkab, Zahedi and Shahani, giving it significant potential to expand exports and generate foreign-exchange revenues.”

 

Provincial authorities are supporting the sector through technical assistance, improved planting materials, mother orchards, and the promotion of commercial and export-oriented varieties, with the aim of strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of date production, Moradi concluded.