Over 170 exhibitors join international date fair in Algiers

More than 170 exhibitors are expected at the fourth International Date Fair, which runs from 11 to 14 November at the Pins Maritimes exhibition palace in Algiers.

Mohamed Yazid Hambli, president of the National Chamber of Agriculture (CNA), gave the details at a press conference at the CNA headquarters on Wednesday. Algérie Eco reported, citing the Algeria Press Service (APS).

Participants include producers, processors, exporters, craftspeople, cooperatives, professional bodies, start-ups, research centres and laboratories. Those taking part will be able to meet at the Pins Maritimes exhibition palace from 11 to 14 November.

Foreign exhibitors and speakers will come from Iraq, Turkey, Oman, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen.

Ambassadors and other diplomats accredited in Algeria will also attend, Hambli said.

More than 1,200 local varieties exist, and the fair will showcase them, Hambli said. The fair is also meant to boost competitiveness.

It will also promote and sell dates and their products.

The programme includes conferences and scientific workshops led by national and international experts, teachers and researchers.

Topics include liquid pollination of palm trees by drone and remote sensing to detect pests early. Other topics include in vitro culture of date palms and the role of rural women in adding value to oasis products.

Hambli said date production is the first farming activity in the southern regions, which have more than 19 million palm trees.

Production reached nearly 12.32 million quintals in the 2024-2025 season. Exports of fresh dates in 2021 to 2023 came to nearly 780,000 quintals, including 50,000 quintals of dry dates, according to Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries statistics.

Rabah Ouled Heddar, president of the agricultural chamber of Ghardaïa wilaya, said exports should not be limited to Deglet Nour. He called for other varieties with high commercial value to be promoted and for new markets to be opened in Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

He also proposed a national logistics platform for date exports. It would bring together bodies involved in exports, such as plant health inspection services, Customs, banks and foreign trade bodies.

He said the platform would ease procedures, reduce the number of intermediaries and organise the market better.