OMAN: A PARADISE OF FRUITS

Oman’s varied and unique weather helps to grow a large variety of plants, fruit trees and various crops throughout the year. Jabal Al Akhdar produces the maximum variety of fruits. Pomegranates, apples, peaches, plums, apricots, almonds, walnuts, grapes, pears, cherries, figs and olives are grown there. In September and October, Jabal Al Akhdar transforms into a fruit paradise with the full-blown goodness of luscious fruits — pomegranates, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, pears, apricots, plums, peaches, figs, walnuts and almonds, among others. But it is the pomegranate that stands tall among other fruits. It is also the most valuable source of income for farmers in these mountains.

While Wakan village is known for apricots, Wadi Bani Kharus is known for Boot fruits, which is one of the summer seasonal fruit that grows in the highest mountain peaks, as well as the production of custard-apple fruit which grows in a number of the north and south wilayats of the Sultanate. Farmers in Wadi Mastal in the Wilayat of Nakhal in the Governorate of South Al Batinah, harvest fruits of apricot trees and mountain berries in the villages of the valley.

In other wilayats watermelons, melons, grapes, figs, and guava are grown, especially in Al Buraimi, A’Dhahirah and North A’Sharqiyah. In North and South Al Batinah one can find date palms, mango, banana and papayas. Dhofar is known for coconut, bananas, papayas and pomegranates. The fruits and vegetables markets in the different parts of the region offer an array of locally grown fruits at very affordable rates.