El Monaguillo is taking part in Cátedra Palmeral d’Elx to raise awareness of the benefits of dates and consolidate its leadership in the sector.
El Monaguillo, a leading date trader in Spain, has reinforced its commitment to promoting date culture through its participation in the radio programme run by the Palmeral d’Elx Research Chair at the Miguel Hernández University (UMH). This collaboration highlights the importance of dates as a healthy food and as part of the cultural heritage associated with the Palmeral de Elche.
On 18 May 2026, Radio UMH broadcast a new programme dedicated to research and raising awareness of the Elche Palm Grove, a unique site recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. On this occasion, journalist Sonia Martínez González interviewed Sofian Belkodja, a technical and commercial development engineer at Bernabé Biosca Alimentación SAU, the company that owns the El Monaguillo brand.
During the interview, they discussed aspects relating to the production, marketing and nutritional value of dates, as well as market trends and the role played by El Monaguillo as a leading company in the sector.
The history of El Monaguillo began in the early 20th century, when Don Bernabé Biosca travelled to the Nefta oasis in Tunisia and discovered the extraordinary potential of the dates grown in the region. After introducing this product to Spain, he founded the El Monaguillo brand in 1919, becoming one of the pioneers in the sector.
Bernabé Biosca Alimentación SAU currently operates state-of-the-art processing and storage facilities, as well as a production plant in Tunisia. Thanks to this infrastructure, the company has established itself as a leading supplier of dates in Spain, Portugal and various Latin American markets.
The Deglet Nour variety is notable for its amber colour, semi-dry texture and balance between sweetness and firmness. Its versatility makes it a favourite choice for both eating fresh and for culinary uses.
Medjoul dates are renowned for their large size, fleshy texture and intense flavour, with notes reminiscent of caramel and honey. They are one of the most popular varieties among those looking for a healthy, natural snack.
El Monaguillo has introduced the Alligh variety to encourage new groups of people to eat dates, thereby expanding the range of products available to consumers and strengthening its market presence.
Dates provide naturally occurring carbohydrates that deliver a quick and sustained energy boost, making them an ideal food for athletes and active people.
Among its main benefits are its insoluble fibre content, which aids digestion, and its mineral content, including potassium and magnesium, which are essential for the body to function properly.
More and more consumers are using dates as a natural alternative to sugar in recipes and cooking. Their natural sweetness makes it possible to reduce the intake of added sugars without compromising on flavour.
With over 200,000 palm trees, the Palmeral de Elche is the largest historic palm grove in Europe and one of the main cultural landmarks of the Valencian Community.
The Palmeral d’Elx Research Chair works to promote scientific, historical and gastronomic knowledge relating to date palms and their fruit. Its collaboration with companies such as El Monaguillo helps to bring this knowledge to the public.
The company is firmly committed to quality, traceability and sustainability throughout its production chain. From the palm groves of origin to the end consumer, every step of the process is designed to ensure a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly product.
Thanks to this working philosophy and over a century of experience, El Monaguillo remains the leading brand in the date market and an example of how tradition, innovation and healthy eating can go hand in hand.
Listen to the full podcast of the Cátedra Palmeral d’Elx programme on Radio UMH: 180526
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