Moroccan Mejhoul date thrives in Libya

Originating from the semi-desert areas of Morocco, the Mejhoul date, prized for its tender and sweet flesh, has found a new breeding ground in Libya, and more precisely in the fertile region of Misrata. This unexpected adaptation highlights the agricultural potential in search of economic diversification. Recognizable by its thin and slightly wrinkled skin, the Mejhoul can weigh up to 50 grams, an impressive size for a date. Its market value is just as remarkable: nearly 15.7 euros per kilo, well above local varieties. This success, however, was not guaranteed. The cultivation of Mejhoul, accustomed to semi-desert conditions, seemed at first to be incompatible with the Mediterranean climate of northern Libya. However, thanks to meticulous agronomic trials and unfailing perseverance, producers like Ismaïl Ben Saoud have risen to the challenge. In 2016, Ismaïl Ben Saoud, 51, planted 700 date palms on five hectares in Misrata. Eight years later, the results are there: “It was said ...