The all-organic Medjool date from Boudnib, the historic birthplace of the variety, is resuscitated on the market. A flagship product of Moroccan agricultural exports since the medieval age, Medjool production suffered a fatal blow in 1919 with the outbreak of the "Bayoud" disease, leading to its disappearance from the market and almost causing its extinction. Considerable efforts, from the highest levels of the Moroccan State to local growers, have enabled the commercial production of these dates to be relaunched, first conventionally and then, more recently, in organic farming. Abderrahmane Zouhir, Managing Director of Krone F&V, says: "Transition to organic growing of Medjool dates was a tremendous challenge."
The grower tells the story of this feat: "Our project to grow organic Majhoul dates began in 2011, in the Boudnib region of southeastern Morocco, the cradle of the Majhoul variety, from where the first Majhoul palms left the country for the United States in the early 20th century. Our initiative was in line with His Majesty King Mohammed VI's vision to revitalize this emblematic industry. After four to five years devoted to mastering the cultivation cycle of the date palm, we gradually reduced, and then completely stopped using chemical pesticides and fertilizers. We opted for alternative methods based on the use of natural auxiliaries, manure, and organic products. Despite our long experience in agriculture and agronomy, this has not been an easy job."
Zouhir continues: "In 2020, we obtained Morocco-EU organic certification, followed in 2022 by USA-Canada organic certification. The product was first launched on the Moroccan market before we reached a decisive milestone in 2023 with our first export to the UK market. Today, we are proud to offer an organic Majhoul date grown in its terroir of origin, Tafilalet, in complete compliance with the principles of organic farming."
Medjool plantations are endemic to the Moroccan region, benefiting from optimal soil and climate conditions for the cultivation of Majhoul dates, according to the grower. The result, as he describes, is "one of the largest date varieties, characterized by thick, soft flesh. Their tender, melt-in-the-mouth texture makes them particularly popular with consumers. The skin varies from amber-brown to dark brown, depending on the degree of ripeness. Our dates are selected for their perfect balance between skin wrinkling and supple texture, guaranteeing their premium quality. In terms of taste, our dates have a rich, sweet flavor, with natural notes of caramel and honey, and a subtle balance between sweetness and slight acidity, characteristic of the Tafilalet terroir".
Zouhir continues, "Our dates have a Brix level of between 65 and 75, guaranteeing natural sweetness without added sugar, and a controlled humidity level of between 18 and 26% to preserve the chewy texture while ensuring good preservation. The available sizes are Super Jumbo, Jumbo, Large, Medium, and Small. We have just acquired a new packaging machine that sorts dates by size, moisture content, color, and internal quality. In terms of nutritional value, Medjool dates are a natural source of energy, rich in fiber (for good digestion and intestinal transit), potassium, magnesium, copper, and iron, as well as B vitamins. All these factors, some of which are common to Medjool dates and others specific to our region, give our production quality and authenticity recognized on international markets."
Abderrahmane Zouhir and Hajar Ettayea from Krone F&V at Fruit Logistica 2025
Moroccan mejdool dates are harvested between September and October, with a year-round export campaign. "After a long process of natural ripening on the tree, our dates are stored in optimal conditions, at controlled temperatures, to preserve their freshness. We export 70% of our dates, while the remaining 30% are destined for the local Moroccan market. This strategy enables us to strengthen our international presence while supporting growing demand in the domestic market," the grower says.
Competition in the niche market for organic mejhool dates is limited to a few players, due to the technical and sanitary challenges that limit production in Morocco and worldwide. Zouhir adds: "Morocco's main competitors in this segment are the United States, Jordan, Palestine, Israel and South Africa. These countries grow organic Majhoul dates in relatively small areas. In Morocco, and more specifically at Krove F&V, our farm stands out as one of the largest, with 175 hectares housing 22,000 date palms. Although other Moroccan growers have also turned to organic production, their structures are smaller and limited in number."
On the other side, demand is rewarding and ever-growing: "Our organic Majhoul dates have been particularly appreciated on the English, German, Dutch, and French markets, where their quality is recognized at its true worth. We are now targeting markets with high potential for organic products, including the UK, Europe, Canada, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Scandinavian countries. At present, most of our dates are exported in bulk 5 kg boxes to repackers. These partners then adapt the packaging to the specifications of the purchasing centers, thus meeting the preferences of local consumers."
On the downside, Krone F&V's operations are faced with a significant challenge, as Morocco undergoes one of the longest and most severe droughts in its history. Zouhir reports: "This season, our production of organic Majhoul dates was lower than in previous years, with a predominance of small sizes. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to optimizing our cultivation practices and investing in innovative solutions to improve our yields."
The grower concludes, "For next season, although it's still premature to provide precise estimates, as the fruit is currently in the early stages of development, we hope to achieve a production of around 1,000 tonnes of organic Majhoul dates. This projection remains conditional on favorable climatic conditions and optimal management of our cultivation practices."
For more information:
Abderrahman Zouhir
Krone F&V
Tel: +212600179737
Email: abderrahmane.zouhir@krone-fv.com
www.krone-fv.com