Fars – The southern Fars Province, producing around 370,000 tons of premium dates annually, has secured its position as Iran’s leading date producer, according to the head of the province’s Agricultural Organization.

 

“The date harvest in Fars begins in mid-August and continues through late November. Early-season fresh soft dates (rutab) from varieties such as Kabkab, Khenezi, and Barhi are brought to market, with annual production of rutab reaching nearly 57,000 tons,” Mojtaba Dehghanpour said.

 

The province is home to a wide range of high-potential date varieties, including Kabkab, Shahani, Zahedi, Majul, and Piarom, with the largest cultivation areas in Qir & Karzin, Kazeroon, and Jahrom counties.

 

Last year, Fars exported approximately 15,000 tons of dates, valued at $13.5 million, to neighboring countries, including Pakistan, the UAE, Russia, Afghanistan, and Turkey.

 

Highlighting efforts to improve yield and sustainability, Dehghanpour said, “A mother orchard and tissue culture nursery for Majul dates is under construction in Jahrom. The center will produce 700,000 date palms annually through micropropagation, providing seedlings to local farmers and growers across southern Iran, and replacing uneconomical orchards to boost production.”