The export value of dates depends on several factors including varying color, texture, and flavor of different varieties of the fruit. For instance, the flavor of barhi dates is described as a butterscotch candy, thoory dates are known for their nutty flavor and somewhat dry and hard texture, however, halawi dates are soft and have a caramel taste.
The Medjool date has a soft texture with unique sweetness and a complex caramel taste and Deglet Noor has a delicate caramel taste. Both Medjool and Deglet Noor dates are globally preferred due to their soft and sweet taste.
Deglet Noor Dates
Botanically known as Phoenix dactylifera, Deglet Noor dates are from the date palm. Date palm is one of the oldest and most valued trees on our globe. It is the regional tree of tropical areas but is still valued throughout the world because of its social, economic, and nutritional value.
In the regions with short resources of food and wood, date palm is known as the Tree of life, because the tree offers many opportunities for humans. With all the other benefits that date palm provides, its nutrient-rich fruit is one of the most beneficial outcomes of this incredible tree. In desert areas, dates are considered the bread of the desert so it is one of the main sources of food.
The Deglet Noor dates produced from palm trees are high in nutritional value. These dates are semi-dry, medium sweet, soft, slightly crunchy yet mouth-melting. They leave a very fine nutty aftertaste like almonds. They are considered the most popular dates in the United States and many other parts of the world.
Deglet Noor has a high global demand for its nutritional and organoleptic qualities as compared to other varieties of dates. The promising economic development opportunity and the growing international demand for Deglet Noor make it a strategic choice for the development of the dates sector. However, Deglet Noor is at high risk of developing many diseases and pests.
The Origin of Deglet Noor
Many old books provide evidence that Deglet Noor was first grown in Algeria. Some studies have shown that the Deglet Noor dates were introduced at the end of the thirteenth century and the beginning of the fourteenth century, in Algeria.
These dates have also been cultivated in California for over a hundred years. According to a study, approximately 95% of the date crops in California are Deglet Noor.
Deglet Noor Cultivation in Tunisia
In Tunisia, Deglet Noor dates are cultivated for over 5000 years. Tunisia is one of the leading producers of Deglet Noor dates. In the agricultural products export, dates ranked number two at the national level in Tunisia, after olive oil.
Tunisian dates are exported to more than 80 countries in different forms, including natural on the branch, bulked, or conditioned. It is considered to be the first Tunisian exporter in terms of value and holds 24% of the shares of the Tunisian dates’ world trades.
In the world ranking, Iran holds 11%, Palestine 10.4%, Saudi Arabia 8.6%, Pakistan 6%, and Iraq holds 7% of shares of dates export.
Approximately 37% of the European market imports and half of the Moroccan market imports are represented by Tunisian date exports. During the period between 2009 to 2013, the value of date exports was approximately $195,941 million. In 2013, Tunisia receive over $2200 per tonne for its date exports.
Development of the Date Sector in Tunisia
In the South of Tunisia, Tunisian oases are located that have a Saharian climate, receiving less than 150mm/year of rainfall. The Modern Tunisian Oasis is characterized by the monoculture of the Deglet Noor, having a density of 100-156 trees per hectare.
Certain policies have been established by the Ministry of Agriculture of Tunisia, for the development of the date palm sector. In 1998, a ten-year national plan was implemented to achieve the target of producing 150,000 tonnes and exporting 50,000 tonnes of dates. The plan also includes the production of 350,000 tonnes and the export of 150,000 tonnes of dates by 2025.
In 2006, the annual production rate of deglet noor was about 70,000 tonnes that has increased to 10% by 2017, making a yield of 182,500 tonnes. Similarly, the export quantity and value of dates have increased during the last decade to 7%.
The Production of Deglet Noor Dates
The palm tree matures and starts producing fruits after almost 5 years. The production cycle starts with the flowering stage and the crops are ready to be harvested after 8 to 10 months.
The Deglet Noor dates start growing between March and April. The date fruits are green in color and round in shape at first. In the summer, the dates grow to their normal size and shape, and their color changes from green to yellow with smooth textured skin. By the autumn, the dates start maturing and ripening from the heat exposure they get during summer.
The harvesting period usually starts from the middle of September until December. The mature Deglet Noor dates have a very delicate texture, which makes it difficult to store them for longer than a few days.
Fun Facts about Tunisian Deglet Noor Dates:
- Deglet Noor is an Arabic word that means, “fingers of light”.
- 75% of the agricultural activities of Tunisia depend on date plantation.
- Tunisia is the larger exporter of deglet noor dates, where most of the dates are produced in the Southern Tunisian regions of Djerid, and Kebili.
- Since 2007, the United States of America, the Russian Federation, and Malaysia are the top 3 markets for Tunisian dates.
