Demand for the Israeli Medjoul date is on the up, and the variety has gained a good position on the European market.

The Medjoul is marketed worldwide by the Israeli growers co-operative Hadiklaim under the brand King Solomon, making Israel a leading exporter and marketer of the variety.

The 2006 yield of the variety is estimated to reach 9,000 tonnes, and by 2010 the annual yield is expected to amount to over 12,000t, due to the planting 20,000 trees every year.

The variety makes £1 per kg at the height of the season in leading UK supermarkets, such as Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose. Date production is one of the fastest and most profitable sector’s in Israel’s agricultural infrastructure.