With the advent of Ramzan very large number of stalls and handcarts are seen carrying dates of different verities become visible close to mosques, offices and other public places attracting buyers. Consumption and sale of dates has reached on its peak during Ramzan as every one needs to break fasting with dates in line with the saying of Prophet Muhammad.
Dates’ trading during Ramzan provide additional opportunities to thousand of people to earn extra money Despite a sharp increase in prices, the sale of dates remained brisk this Ramzan amid high demand which is being met by local production as well as by imports from Iran and Saudi Arabia. This year there is enough supply of dates in the market although new crop will start coming up in August and the Ramzan fall a little earlier. There is no shortage of date in open market it is available in huge quantity.
Locally produced date verity knows as Khajji or Khajoor has highest demand during Ramzan due to its texture and taste and it also attract high price. Wholesale rates of best quality date prevail around Rs 170 to Rs 190 per kg, Iran Rs 220 to Rs 240 per kg and Sukkur Rs 160 to Rs 180 per kg whereas retailers demanding Rs 250 to Rs 500 per kg of different verities of date. Some of the retails demanding Rs 150 to 170 for a date packed in small paper box of 700 grams.
Pakistan producing a number of date varieties include Aseel, Karbala, Fasli and Kupro of Sindh; Muzawati, Begum Jangi, Jaan Swore, Kehraba and Rabai of Balochistan; Dhakki and Gulistan of NWFP and a seedless variety of Punjab. Pakistan producing around 700,000 tones of dates for local consumption and exports annually. Out of total production around 5 lacs to 6 lacs tones of date consumed locally major part of which during Ramzan and rest is been exported, said date traders.
