The date harvest in Elche for the 2026-2027 season has already begun. Producers expect a harvest of around 50 tons , a figure lower than the 60 tons achieved the previous year. The decrease is not surprising, given the challenging weather conditions, with a rather dry spring and summer.
Although the volume will be lower, there's a silver lining: the reduced water availability and high temperatures have allowed the dates to concentrate more sugars. According to experts, this will result in sweeter, larger dates . In short, quantity is down, but quality is up.
Reduced harvest due to drought and fungus
The Elche Date Producers Association forecasts a marketable production of between 50 and 60 tons, although all indications suggest it will ultimately remain close to 50. Last year, around 60 tons were reached, so this year we are talking about 10 tons less.
Among the causes, producers point to the lack of rain and high temperatures, which have caused significant water stress in the palm trees. As a result, some plants have ended up dropping their fruit before it ripens . In addition, there has been the appearance of a fungus that particularly affects the Medjool variety, which can stop producing fruit or dry out its branches prematurely.
The uprooting of palm trees on some farms also plays a role, a practice that reduces productive capacity. And we mustn't forget the lack of professionalization and generational renewal in the sector.
The economic impact of this shortfall is estimated at around €100.000 less in revenue for the sector as a whole, based on an estimated average price of €10 per kilo. The ten fewer tons represent that loss.
Looking ahead to the next season, growers plan to apply fungicides to control the spread of the fungus, especially in the most susceptible varieties. They are also hoping for the return of rain and a halt to the uprooting of trees.
The new palm trees being planted will take between five and six years to start producing, so the recovery will not be immediate.
Markets: Spain and Europe
Currently, the Spanish market absorbs approximately 70% of Elche's date production . It is the main destination, but producers are working to reach new buyers in Europe.
It's already being sold in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Poland. Orders have also been received from Denmark. Germany is a special case: there, demand is focused on dates for making spirits , especially brandy.
To put local production into context, the association points out that Spain imported approximately 19.000 tons of dates in 2025, valued at around €56,8 million. Elche's production represents barely 0,3% of that volume . In other words, for every kilo of dates produced in Elche, more than 300 kilos were imported.
Given this situation, the sector is calling for greater professionalization and specialized personnel . The goal is to increase production capacity, achieve higher volumes, and reach new markets to ensure the crop is profitable and sustainable.
The campaign kickoff event and institutional support
The 2026-2027 season officially began with the cutting of the first shoots at a farm in the Asprillas district, at the Urbán family nursery. The Mayor of Elche, Pablo Ruz, attended the event, along with the councilors for Agriculture, Water, Tourism, and Rural Districts.
During the ceremony, a palm tree worker climbed a palm tree to cut several branches, which were then given to the mayor, the provincial deputy Juan de Dios Navarro (representing the Alicante Provincial Council) and this year's honorary date palm worker .
The City Council wanted to show its support for the local agricultural sector. In fact, agreements have been signed this year with agricultural organizations, including a financial contribution to the Elche Date Producers Association.
Pablo Ruz emphasized that production still has room for improvement and defended the need to understand date and palm cultivation as a viable future. Ruz stressed that the Elche countryside needs the city council to reclaim its identity, while also congratulating those working to maintain and strengthen the municipality's primary sector.
Recognition of the honorary date palm grower
Dr. Fernando Soler, ophthalmologist, director, and founder of FacoElche, has been named honorary date palm grower for the 2026-2027 season. Soler expressed his gratitude for the honor and reaffirmed his connection to Elche. He joked that he feels more like a native of Elche than the date palm itself.
He recalled that in 2025 he received a tribute when the former Le Corbusier Promenade was renamed Fernando Soler Ophthalmologist Promenade . Soler commented that this recognition made him feel he was breaking the stereotype that no one is a prophet in their own land.
Regarding the harvest, Soler offered a message of hope. Although production is down due to reduced water availability, the sun has allowed the sugar to concentrate in the fruit, resulting in tastier dates. Soler asserted that this year's 50 tons are an improvement over the 60 tons harvested the previous year.
Soler also mentioned that he often gives away dates from Elche during his travels as a way of promoting the product and the city's name beyond its borders.
A crop linked to the landscape and identity
The date palm is one of the fundamental elements of Elche's agricultural and cultural landscape . The Elche Palm Grove , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has traditionally relied on date production as one of its primary uses.
Mayor Pablo Ruz identified the primary sector as the city's main economic hope and highlighted the unique nature of Elche's combination of industrial activity with significant agricultural production. He cited dates and pomegranates as part of this agri-food identity.
Ruz argued that date cultivation still has room to grow and championed the campaign launch event as a way to raise awareness of the date palm and spread the word that Elche also produces dates.
The underlying challenge for the sector is clear: to ensure that a product so closely tied to local identity gains traction, finds new markets, and guarantees its future viability. The season is starting with lower volume, but with positive expectations regarding the quality of the fruit.
This season's date harvest in Elche is expected to reach around 50 tons, a lower figure than last year due to drought, high temperatures, and fungal infections affecting the Medjool variety. Despite this, producers are confident that the reduced rainfall and abundant sunshine have concentrated the sugars, resulting in sweeter, larger dates. The sector is working to open new markets in Europe while calling for greater professionalization and institutional support to guarantee the future of this emblematic crop for Elche.
