Mexico is hosting the International Date Palm Festival for the third year in a row, bringing together stakeholders to promote the cultivation of the Mexican fruit at a local and international level. This year's event, happening in October, will see participation from countries like Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and the United Arab Emirates, among others. A memorandum of cooperation has also been signed between Mexico's Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) and the Foundation Khalifa International Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation Award. The festival aims to enhance the economic relationship between Mexico and the United Arab Emirates and boost scientific-technological cooperation in date cultivation. Mexico is the world's third-largest producer of the medjool variety and exported 9,860 tons in 2022, primarily to Middle East and North African markets.