Apricot season in Salah Al-Din
Apricot harvest kicks-off in Balad with fruit shipped across Iraq
BALAD — The annual apricot harvest has kicked off in Salah Al-Din’s Balad district, a region renowned for its high-quality summer produce. The Tigris River’s fertile soil and fresh water nourish the region’s orchards, producing particularly sought-after apricots.
Brothers Ali and Zaidoon Hassan Al-Haidari are among the local orchard owners overseeing the harvest and packaging of the apricots. Their lush three-acre orchard, shaded by palm trees, boasts a variety of fruits besides apricots, including grapes, plums, and peaches.
“We inherited this orchard from our ancestors,” Ali Hassan Al-Haidari told 964media. “The fertile land and abundant water from the Tigris have allowed it to flourish for generations.”
Ali noted that apricot prices typically range from 1,500 to 2,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $1.14 to $1.53) per kilogram at the season’s start, depending on quality. He attributes the popularity of local apricots to their unmatched sweetness compared to imported varieties.
“I spend most of my time among the trees, from sunrise to sunset,” he said of his time spent working in the orchard.
Zaidoon Hassan Al-Haidari, a teacher who assists his brother with the harvest, expressed his satisfaction.
“I find great comfort in harvesting the fruits in the orchard,” he said. “Even with my teaching schedule, I make sure to help Ali pick and care for the orchard after school every day.”