‘Mejhoul’ cultivation in the USA

Dates have been grown in the United States for over 200 years. Large plantings began about 125 years ago and the ‘Mejhoul’ was imported successfully in 1927. The US ‘Mejhoul’ industry began with a 23-ha planting in 1945, near Bard, CA, and has grown to several thousand ha today. Trees are planted in several types of soils, at spacings ranging from 7.5 to 9 m². Irrigation is by flood or pressurized systems, and most fertilization is applied via the irrigation water. ‘Mejhoul’ dates are pollinated and thinned, then bagged before harvest. Harvest begins in August and continues through October. Few pests are problematic on ‘Mejhoul’. Harvested dates are sorted for color, dried to consistent moisture, sorted again for quality, and then shipped fresh or frozen if needed. US ‘Mejhoul’ dates are exported to Canada, Australia, Mexico, and other countries, while the US imports ‘Mejhoul’ dates from Mexico, Israel, and other countries. Date consumption in the US is low but has increased by 50% since 2012 due to active marketing programs.