“Khalifa Award for Dates” Spurs Egyptian Companies towards Innovation and Export Growth
El-Kady: Egypt's Date Industry Has Significantly Evolved in Recent Years
The Khalifa Award for Dates (KIADPAI) is one of the world’s most prestigious awards dedicated to advancing the date palm sector and promoting agricultural innovation. Established under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, the award reflects the United Arab Emirates’ leading role in supporting sustainable agricultural development and encouraging scientific research that enhances global food security.
Since its inception in 2007, the Award has aimed to honor excellence and innovation in the cultivation, production, and processing of date palms, while also recognizing pioneering initiatives and scientific research in the broader field of agricultural sustainability.
Through its various categories, KIADPAI celebrates the achievements of researchers, farmers, institutions, and organizations that have made significant contributions to developing the date palm industry and introducing modern agricultural technologies.
Amgad El-Kady, Executive Director of the Food Technology and Agricultural Manufacturing Center at the Ministry of Industry, confirmed that the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation has had a major impact on the development of Egypt’s date industry since its launch in 2015 under the patronage of the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Works. He noted that seven editions of the International Festival for Egyptian Dates have been organized, which helped spotlight this promising sector and unify the efforts of stakeholders in its development.
El-Kady explained that the award has played a pivotal role in addressing the sector’s challenges, particularly the previously uncoordinated work of multiple entities, by bringing them under one umbrella. It has also contributed to implementing key development projects, such as the rehabilitation of the government-owned Siwa Dates Factory in 2017 with UAE funding, the establishment of the Al Wadi Al Gedid dates processing complex, and the construction of cold storage facilities in the Bahariya Oases, in addition to promoting Egyptian date varieties through participation in international exhibitions.
He added that participation in the award is open to all producers, researchers, and companies, with each participant allowed to apply for only one category. The award comprises eight categories covering the entire value chain, from best farm and best packing facility to best date-based food product, best applied research, and best agricultural or industrial innovation. The award for each category is $1,000 and will be presented at the festival’s opening ceremony on November 8, 2025.
El-Kady announced that the eighth edition of the International Festival for Egyptian Dates will be held under the patronage of the President of the Republic and jointly organized by the Khalifa International Award, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Giza Governorate. The event will feature participation from over 100 exhibitors from 10 countries, alongside scientific seminars, innovation competitions, and cultural and tourist activities.
He pointed out that the festival has contributed to enhancing the global competitiveness of Egyptian dates. Exports in 2024 reached approximately 88,000 tons, valued at $105 million, an increase of 18% over the previous year, positioning Egypt as the fifth-largest exporter globally and the second in Africa.
105 ملايين دولار فقط من 1.8 مليون طن… لماذا لا يتم تصدير التمور المصرية؟
