Doha, Qatar: Fresh date sales at major shopping malls have surpassed 11,700 kilograms in the period from July 30 to August 15, 2026, the Ministry of Municipality (MoM) announced yesterday, underscoring continued strong demand for Qatar’s locally grown produce beyond the main festival at Souq Waqif.
According to figures released by the ministry on its social media accounts, a total of 11,731 kilograms of fresh dates (rutab) of various varieties were sold across three participating malls during the specified period. The sales involved produce from 24 local farms. Doha Festival City led the way with 4,614 kilograms, followed by Landmark Mall with 3,810 kilograms and Villaggio Mall with 3,307 kilograms.
The initiative forms part of the Ministry of Municipality’s ongoing efforts to support local farmers and ensure the availability of high-quality Qatari dates to consumers after the conclusion of the 11th Local Dates Festival. The festival, organised in collaboration with Souq Waqif management, ran from July 25 to August 10 at the Eastern Square of the traditional market and drew approximately 110,000 visitors while recording total date sales of 183,268 kilograms.
By partnering with popular retail destinations such as Villaggio, Landmark and Doha Festival City, the ministry has extended marketing opportunities for local producers and made fresh dates more accessible to a wider section of the public during the peak season. Officials noted that the move aligns with broader national objectives of strengthening food security, promoting agricultural sustainability and enhancing the economic viability of Qatar’s farming sector.
The Local Dates Festival has grown steadily since its inception, evolving into a key platform that brings together local farms under one roof, showcases premium varieties including Khalas, Khunaizi, Shishi and Barhi, and encourages consumers to choose homegrown products. This year’s edition featured participation from more than 100 farms, reflecting the continuous expansion of Qatar’s agricultural capacity and rising interest among producers.
Ministry statements emphasised that such initiatives provide vital marketing outlets that help farmers achieve better returns, encourage higher production volumes and improve quality standards. The continued availability of fresh dates in shopping malls until mid-August ensures that consumers can still purchase the seasonal produce even after the main festival activities have ended.
