Al Hasa Farmer's flood markets with ‘Rutab’

Saudi Gazatte | 26 July 2016 AL-AHSA — Markets in the eastern city of Al-Ahsa and other parts of the Kingdom are flooded with a variety of Rutab (ripe and soft) dates as extreme temperature has made the fruits ripe earlier than expected. In the beginning of the season, supply of Rutab dates normally is less with prices going up, said Mubarak Al-Khanin, a farmer who estimated Rutab prices at SR20 to SR45 per kg. “Al-Gharr, which is one of best varieties, is sold for SR40 per kg in the beginning of the season, but it will reach SR5 by the close of the season,” he told Al-Hayat Arabic daily. Citizens in Al-Ahsa have urged the authorities to end the monopoly of expatriate workers in Rutab sales as they play with prices in accordance with their whims and fancies. “These people exploit the high demand for Rutab dates in Al-Ahsa as our people are aware of Rutab’s nutritious benefits,” one citizen said. Medical research has proved that Rutab contains simple sugar that can digest easily like glucose. “It reduces blood pressure in pregnant women and minimizes bleeding. It also contains softeners that can cleanse colon and facilitate child birth,” he added. “People of Al-Ahsa prefer to take Rutab with milk and coffee,” said another citizen. Farmers in the city are now busy harvesting Rutab from their date fields. The process begins with the appearance of first groups of Rutabs on palm trees. Farmers use simple devices such as “makhraf” to harvest the dates. Makhraf is a kind of bowl made of palm fronds, he explained. They climb on palm trees using a “karr,” made of fiber or rope. Al-Khanin said farmers in Al-Ahsa would not harvest Rutab of all dates except Khalas, Shishi, Tayar, Majnaz, Gharr and Khunaizi varieties. “In Wadi Al-Dawasser, Maqfazi, Rothana, Juwaikh and Um Qameea varieties are harvested,” he pointed out. Safri, Sirri and Khudari varieties are not harvested as they will be kept on the palm until they reach the last stage. “There are certain varieties of palms from which we harvest Rutab daily like Maqfazi and Mastani. Khalas Al-Wadi is harvested on alternative days and Khalas and Um Qameea after every three days,” Al-Khanin said. “Harvesting of Rutab requires good experience,” Al-Khanin said. People should be cautious about snakes and other harmful insects that live on top of palms, he added.