What is the difference between Sagai and Sukkari dates?

3 June 2026
HONEY DIYAR

1. Taste and sweetness level:

  • Al-Saqai : It is characterized by a moderate and balanced sweetness (because most of its content comes in the form of monosaccharides of glucose and fructose).
  • Sugar : It is characterized by its high natural sweetness , and from this feature it got its name "sugar".

2. Area of cultivation and distribution:

  • Al-Saqai: It is widely cultivated in the Al-Aridh region around the city of Riyadh .
  • Al-Sukari: It is widely cultivated in the Al-Qassim region (specifically it first appeared in Buraidah), and it constitutes 65% of the region's palm trees.

3. Shape and color:

  • The Saqai: It has a thick, oblong, cylindrical shape; its top is yellowish and prominent, and it has a reddish edge. Its color turns brown when ripe .
  • Diabetes: Its color is light yellow or golden brown (or dark brown in the Galaxy variety).

4. Types and stage of maturity:

  • Al-Saqai: It ripens in the middle of the season , and is divided according to quality and weight into 3 categories (excellent, first, second).
  • Sugar: It reaches its peak ripeness in August , and is classified according to its ripeness and peel into: ( The twisted one, the Galaxy ).

5. Nutritional value (per 100 grams):

  • Al-Saqai: Contains 330 calories , 43 mg of magnesium, and 36 mg of calcium.
  • Sugar: It contains 310 calories , with a total sugar content of 61.1%, 13.8% magnesium, and 5.9% calcium.

6. Consumption and storage:

  • Al-Saqai: Its price is high and it is eaten fresh and dried.
  • Sugar: It is consumed in large quantities throughout the year, and can be stored by refrigeration or freezing.