Erfoud — Morocco’s 14th International Date Fair wrapped up on November 2 after drawing nearly 95,000 visitors and generating more than MAD 38 million ($3.8 million) in sales, organizers announced.
The five-day event in the southeastern city of Erfoud attracted more than 220 exhibitors from nine countries and focused on a pressing challenge facing the region: water scarcity.
Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari inaugurated the fair, which operated under the theme “Sustainable Management of Water Resources: Foundation for Date Palm and Oasis Development.”
Minister of Agriculture Ahmed El Bouari touring the fair pavilions
The Association of the International Date Fair in Morocco (ASIDMA) organized the event with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agency for the Development of Oasis and Argan Zones (ANDZOA).
Water crisis: this year’s focus
This year’s theme reflects growing concerns about water stress threatening traditional oasis systems across Morocco’s arid regions. Organizers focused on how these ecosystems serve as vital biodiversity reservoirs and natural barriers against desertification.
A scientific symposium brought together researchers from Morocco’s National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), ANDZOA, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). The experts explored innovative solutions for adapting oasis systems to climate challenges.
Officials and experts gathered to address the critical water challenges facing Morocco’s oasis regions.
The Agricultural Development Agency and Crédit Agricole Group hosted an investment forum titled “Responsible Investment for Date Palm and Oasis Development,” while business-to-business meetings facilitated partnerships among industry operators.
Major irrigation project unveiled
On the first day of the fair, Minister El Bouari toured the Maktaa Sfa hydro-agricultural project during his visit — a groundbreaking initiative that will channel floodwaters from the Gheris River to Lake Merzouga.
The government invested MAD 85.23 million ($9 million) in the project, which will directly benefit 6,770 residents and irrigate 1,194 hectares in the Rissani and Taous communes.
The infrastructure includes a 260-meter diversion dam at Ksar Sidi Ahmed Ben Madani, a 14-kilometer water transfer canal, and a 2.6-kilometer irrigation canal. Workers will also rehabilitate Lake Merzouga’s old dike and upgrade irrigation networks.
Beyond irrigation improvements, the project aims to preserve vegetation, replenish groundwater, enhance Lake Merzouga’s capacity for ecological and tourism purposes, and stem rural exodus by strengthening oasis resilience.
The initiative aligns with Morocco’s “Generation Green 2020-2030” strategy, which targets sustainable, inclusive, and innovative agricultural development to ensure food sovereignty and territorial resilience.
Fair features industry diversity
The event spread across 40,000 square meters and featured several specialized zones. Indigenous sheep and goat breeds from oasis regions filled a dedicated livestock area, while companies specializing in fertilizers, irrigation equipment, renewable energy solutions, and packaging materials occupied the agricultural supplies section.
The centerpiece “Rahba” pavilion offered 3,000 square meters of commercial space where date producers, cooperatives, and economic interest groups exhibited and sold their products. Another section displayed regional specialty products from across Morocco’s oasis territories.
Additionally, a specially designed educational zone gave younger attendees hands-on, interactive experiences that brought oasis ecosystems to life.
International producers find common ground
The fair attracted date producers from around the world, including Jordan and Mexico, along with 7 other countries, who came seeking partnerships and market opportunities.
Nabil Abu Aram, General Manager of Baptism Basin Dates from Jordan, expressed how welcomed his company felt in Morocco.
Abu Aram told Morocco World News (MWN) he valued meeting diverse customers, exploring different date varieties, and witnessing Morocco’s impressive advancement in the date industry.
His operation manages 1,000 acres with 15,000 date palm trees in the Jordan Valley and participated under the supervision of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation.
The Jordanian delegation came seeking new machinery and building partnerships while experiencing the cultural exchange that makes this international gathering a cornerstone event for the global date palm community.
Alexandra Montes traveled from Mexico to feature her company’s Medjool dates at the fair. She represents El Sultán Del Desierto, a Mexican date producer making its debut at the event.
“Our date is a little bit different from the Moroccan ones,” Montes told MWN. She explained that Moroccan dates tend to be darker and sweeter, while some people describe the Mexican variety as slightly salty.
Montes, who traveled with her sister, attributed the taste difference to growing conditions. “You guys grow your date under the level of the seawater, and we do it over,” she told MWN, suggesting that elevation affects the final flavor profile.
“This is our first year at the Morocco Festival and we’re so happy to be here,” Montes said, adding that she hopes to return next year.
The International Date Fair in Erfoud has established itself as a crucial platform for networking, partnerships, and displaying innovations in date palm cultivation and oasis agriculture, while serving as a marketplace connecting producers with buyers from around the world. As the 14th edition comes to a close, leaders in this vital sector look forward to continued years of growing success.
