Maghrib Begins with Dates as Ramadan Demand Sweeps Bahrain

TDT | Manama

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Tradition

As Maghrib approaches each evening, date stalls and specialty shops across Bahrain experience intense demand, with families keen to secure the finest varieties ahead of Ramadan gatherings. A field tour conducted by The Daily Tribune observed steady crowds selecting premium boxes and bulk quantities, reaffirming the date’s central place at every iftar table.

Dates are more than a customary way to break the fast. They represent heritage, hospitality and continuity in a country long known as the “Land of a Million Palm Trees”.

Production

According to the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, Bahrain produced approximately 14,000 tonnes of dates and related products in 2024. This figure reflects sustained efforts to develop the palm and date sector, reinforcing the Kingdom’s standing among regional producers.

Officials note that palm cultivation is deeply rooted in Bahrain’s history, with dates serving as a pillar of food security for centuries. Beyond nutrition, the palm tree shaped daily life, as its fronds and fibres were used to craft baskets, fans, ropes, cages and even fishing tools.

Varieties

Among the most sought after local varieties is Khalas, particularly the premium “Royal Khalas”, retailing between BD2.500 and BD3.500 per kilogram. Kheneizi, often described as the “Queen of Bahrain’s palms”, ranges from BD3.000 to BD4.000 per kilogram. Ajwa is priced between BD4.500 and BD6.000, while Medjool averages BD5.000 to BD7.000 per kilogram.

With supply remaining stable, traders say the surge is driven not by shortage, but by devotion to a tradition that begins, quietly and faithfully, with a single date at sunset.