Water productivity becomes the sector metric to watch
27 February 2026 · 7 min read
SustainabilityDate palms are resilient, but they are not water-light. The sector's next efficiency frontier is measured in cubic metres.
Modern drip and subsurface systems have reduced water intensity per tonne substantially in the best-performing regions, but adoption remains uneven.
Where water is priced or quota-managed, growers have responded quickly. Where it is not, gains rely on public programmes and extension services.
Council members are increasingly reporting water indicators alongside output, and we expect these series to become standard within two reporting cycles.
From hectares to cubic metres
Date palms tolerate heat and salinity, but they are not water-light. As irrigation costs rise, the sector's efficiency frontier is being measured in tonnes per cubic metre rather than tonnes per hectare.
Adoption is uneven
Modern drip and subsurface systems have cut water intensity per tonne substantially where they are installed, but coverage across the reporting group remains patchy.
Where water is priced or quota-managed, growers respond quickly. Where it is not, gains depend on public programmes and extension services.
A reporting shift is coming
Members are increasingly submitting water indicators alongside output. We expect these series to become a standard part of the Council's published set within two reporting cycles.
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