Facts on Date and Palm in Palestine

It is one of the oldest trees from which Palestinian households have derived benefits.
Date is a major fruit crop in Palestine. It has historically been connected with sustaining food security for Palestinian households.
Gaza Strip has been characterized with intensive cultivation of date palm trees. Estimations shows that Gaza possesses a number of palm trees that exceed 200,000 trees, 90-95% of which are Hyiani and the remaining are Bent Ala’yish. Other varieties have been recently introduced to Gaza including mejdool and Amri.
The date consumption of Palestinian’s market is 4000-4500 tons/year (Gaza is consuming 45-50%).
Most of Gaza’s production of fresh dates are sold at local markets (at very low prices) after exports were banned in 2007.
Recent surveys has been conducted by different NGOs working in the sector in the Gaza Strip show that those living in Gaza are heavily expanding their cultivation of new palm trees, because it tolerates high temperatures, drought and salinity more than many other fruit crop plant species. In addition to that, the heavenly religion namely Islam has honored the date and showed concern for its cultivation and care.