Date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, is a major agricultural crop in the Near East and
African Regions, and its economical role in the countries of these regions is well
recognized.
The world date palm production (about 4.6 million tons in 1997) is concentrated
mostly in the Near East and Africa. About 70% of it is concentrated in six countries
namely; Iran (918131 tons), Egypt (750000 tons), Iraq (660000 tons), Saudi Arabia
(649239 tons), Pakistan (536000 tons) and Algeria (387313 tons), 20% in another six