Farmers in the United Arab Emirates are preparing for the harvesting, sorting, and preservation of figs as the rutab season begins, following months of intensive work on the farms.
On a family farm in Al Dhafra, Fujairah, farmer Rashid Mohammed Al Attar is observing a season where traditional approaches are increasingly integrated with modern technologies to improve quality, extend shelf life, and preserve the heritage of fig cultivation in the UAE.
The rutab season usually starts in June, when the first semi-ripe figs appear in the markets, peaking in July and August when various varieties are harvested across the country. The exact timing depends on the fig variety, weather conditions, and agricultural practices.
Al Attar explained that preparation for the harvest begins long before the first rutab appears on the palms. He stated that the fig's life cycle starts with flowering, when pollen from male palms is manually transferred to female ones. This is followed by months of care, including pruning palm leaves, thinning bunches, and cleaning trees to ensure healthy growth.
Farmers must monitor the palms year-round, as every stage of development requires special attention—from irrigation and fertilization to protecting the trees from pests and adverse weather conditions.
According to Al Attar, there are many traditional and new fig varieties in Al Dhafra. Among the old local varieties are Sallani, Gal, and Dagma, while traditional varieties such as Ashhal, Kash, and Hamid continue to be cultivated. Among the most well-known types are Bari, distinguished by its bright yellow color and soft texture, and Ihlas, valued for its rich caramel flavor and delicate consistency.
He clarified that not all figs are harvested for the same purpose. Some varieties, including Sallani and Gal, are valued for fresh consumption as rutab because they spoil quickly and are difficult to process into dried figs. Others, like Bari, are naturally sweeter, while some varieties are used primarily for making fig syrup as the fruit ripens.
Harvesting begins when the fruit transitions from the bisr stage—an early ripening phase where figs are still hard and have yellow or red skin—to the soft, fully ripe rutab stage. At the beginning of the season, farmers collect small batches as the fruits gradually ripen, before moving to larger harvests during the peak season.
Al Attar noted that humidity remains one of the main challenges for producers, as excessive moisture can reduce fig quality. However, the hot, dry climate of the Persian Gulf plays a key role in fruit ripening and developing its characteristic sweetness. Maintaining quality requires several stages of careful sorting—from harvest to drying, packaging, and final distribution.
In the past, farmers used traditional drying grounds known as Al-Mastakh, open areas where figs were spread out under the sun for natural drying. These areas were traditionally made from hand-woven palm leaves.
Today, many farms use plastic packaging, packing machines, and modern polycarbonate drying rooms, where controlled heat and ventilation promote quick drying while protecting the figs from dust and insects. In addition to traditional methods, the Al Attar family has also implemented modern preservation techniques. In recent years, they have successfully adopted deep freezing technology to preserve selected varieties, such as Bari and Kenaisi, which helps extend shelf life while maintaining quality and increasing the value of the harvest.
Al Attar reported that the current rutab season has been particularly productive. He attributes the abundant harvest to strong rainfall in the region over the last two years, which promoted stronger palm growth and increased yields. Some trees yielded such a rich harvest that the family had to thin the fruit to maintain quality. Although farmers across the UAE follow similar care cycles, each region has its own varieties and challenges.
Said Halfan Salem Al Mazroui, a farmer from Wadi Al Helo in Sharjah, stated that work begins as early as February and March with the start of the flowering season. He emphasized that from the beginning of the season, they focus on selecting the best cuttings, pollinating the palms, and caring for the trees until harvest, which includes thinning fruit and bunches, constant monitoring, and providing necessary care for a good yield.
He explained that the palm must be maintained year-round through proper fertilization, soil care, and irrigation, as every growth stage requires different attention. Al Mazroui added that the appearance of rutab varies depending on the palm type: some varieties bear fruit early in the season, others in the middle or closer to the end. Every stage, from flowering to ripening, requires observation, as weather conditions and pests can affect the final yield.
According to Al Mazroui, the UAE palm sector comprises over 40 million trees, and farmers cultivate a wide range of varieties that differ in taste, color, and sugar content. Well-known varieties in the UAE include Ihlas, Bari, Kenaisi, Medjool, Naghal, and Khodri, as well as newer varieties such as Ambera and Helwa Dubai. Farmers face challenges throughout the season, including changing weather conditions and pests such as fig mites, reddish palm weevils, and insects affecting the fruit and trees. He concluded that for Al Mazroui, the rutab season is also a way of preserving a tradition passed down through generations, reflecting the patience and care invested throughout the year.
With the start of the date harvesting season (Al-Khayz season) this year, the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai has launched the second edition of the 'Haraef Al Rutab' initiative.
Under this program, fresh dates are collected and distributed among families and communities across the emirate. The initiative is implemented under the directive of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council.
This year, the program aims to deliver boxes of fresh dates to over 5,000 families and other target groups. This is achieved in collaboration with national farms and with the participation of 1,000 Emirati volunteers. Through this project, locally produced agricultural products are optimally utilized, and seasonal harvests bring long-term social and humanitarian benefits.
The annual event reaffirms the connection to the heritage of the Emirati people, which is associated with the fresh date harvest season. Furthermore, it aims to maximize the benefit from seasonal agricultural produce. The program also introduces the younger generation to the significance of the date palm in UAE culture and revives the Al-Khayz season as one of the country's traditional heritage seasons, historically linked to generosity, giving, and community bonding.
The implementation of the initiative is made possible by a partnership between the UAE Food Bank, the Dubai Municipality, the Community Development Authority in Dubai (CDA), and the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Centre, as well as national farms and volunteers. The distribution of fresh dates will take place through CDA community majlises, including Umm Suqeim, Al Hawaneej, Nad Al Sheba, Al Warqa, and Al Barsha majlises.
The distribution schedule is as follows: Umm Suqeim Majlis — Monday, July 20; Nad Al Sheba Majlis — Tuesday, July 21; Al Warqa Majlis — Wednesday, July 22; Al Barsha Majlis — Thursday, July 23; Al Hawaneej Majlis — Friday, July 24. Activities under the initiative will continue throughout the fresh date season in community councils across Dubai, where volunteers will participate in distributing boxes of fresh dates to target groups. A series of awareness and public engagement events is also planned, highlighting the importance of the date palm in the heritage of the Emirati people.
Residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may expect potentially long weekends at the end of August. The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is expected on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
According to the list of UAE public holidays, the next holiday is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, which corresponds to 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in the Islamic calendar. However, like all other Islamic holidays, the exact date depends on the official announcement regarding the sighting of the moon.
Since the holiday falls in the middle of the week, there is a possibility of it being moved to Monday, August 24, according to the UAE public holiday rescheduling system. If such a postponement is approved, employees will receive a three-day weekend: the holiday on Monday and the regular weekend before it. If these days off are confirmed, they will fall during the last week of summer vacation, as the 2026-27 academic year begins on August 31.
The UAE Cabinet has the authority to move certain public holidays that fall on weekdays either to the beginning or the end of the week to create longer breaks. Such changes do not happen automatically and require an official decision. According to the Cabinet Resolution of 2025, public holidays, with the exception of Eid, can be moved to the beginning or end of the week.
The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad is included in the UAE public holiday calendar, but the final date and any changes to the celebration will only be confirmed through an official announcement.
If the holiday remains scheduled for Tuesday, residents can extend their break by taking annual leave on Monday, providing employees with a four-day break. Nevertheless, the sighting of the moon remains a condition, and authorities expect to announce the final dates closer to the event.
