Tehran – Iran has begun harvesting its early-season dates in the southern Kerman region, with production expected to reach 1,000 metric tons this year.

 

Faroud Salari, head of the Agricultural Organization of Southern Kerman, said the harvest of the Al-Mehtari and Negar varieties is underway across 210 hectares of date palm orchards.

 

"The harvest began in late June and will continue through early October as mid- and late-season varieties ripen."

 

With more than 37,000 hectares of date palm plantations, Southern Kerman is one of Iran's largest date-producing regions. Officials said the early harvest helps meet domestic market demand while creating seasonal jobs and boosting incomes for local growers.