India’s imported dates market braces for fresh arrivals

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India’s imported date market is preparing for a rebound starting early September, with new harvest shipments expected from key origins like Iran and Saudi Arabia, says Mohammed Yaseen, Operations Manager at dry fruits importer Trivant Global. “Shipments from Iran and Saudi Arabia have just started, but are not in full swing. As the Indian festive season nears, we will see a significant uptick in imported volumes from September onwards,” Yaseen adds.

© Trivant Global

Currently, the market is experiencing a tight supply of last year’s stock, limiting both quality and quantity, and keeping prices high, explains Yaseen. He recalls that last year, Iranian dates experienced extraordinary price hikes of around 50%, with rates reaching as high as USD 3.1 per kg due to production issues caused by adverse weather. “That level of pricing was unprecedented for Iranian dates. Meanwhile, Saudi date prices have remained relatively stable, but in the past month, prices for dates from Iran and Iraq have surged due to shortages following Ramadan.”

“The first shipments of Iran’s Mazafati dates and Saudi’s Sukri variety are just starting to arrive, with other popular varieties like Safawi, Mabroom, and Ajwa expected to follow in September. Iraq’s Zahidi and Jordan’s Medjool dates, as well as limited volumes of Fardh from the UAE, remain important contributors to the import basket,” Yaseen shares.

© Trivant Global

According to him, the domestic date production in India is minimal, contributing to less than 5% of the market, while Iranian dates lead with steady volumes and competitive pricing. Yaseen adds, “Iranian varieties such as Mazafati, Kalute, and Shahani dominate imports, alongside select Saudi dates which, while popular, tend to be more expensive.”

Trivant Global typically imports around 10 containers from Iran each month, with smaller shipments from other origins. High-value dates like Jordan’s Medjool have seen rising demand in recent years, despite their premium pricing. Looking ahead, Yaseen expects increased imports of fresh dates will ease prices and stabilize supply, marking the start of a new phase for India’s evolving date market.

For more information:© Trivant Global
Mohammed Yaseen
Trivant Global
Tel: +91 90 48 435 326
Email: [email protected]
www.trivantglobal.com

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies