As the dates –must have fruit for faithful, are consumed in large quality in the holy month of Ramadhan, Kashmir markets around this time are flooded by the fruit imported from Pakistan and Middle East.
Local dealers say that dates worth Rs 12-15 crore are being consumed in the month of Ramadhan in Kashmir and large quantity of the fruit comes from Middle East countries and Pakistan.
The Middle East dates are imported via Mumbai port while the Pakistani dates find their way into Srinagar from Muzaffarabad route.
Talking to us, All Kashmir Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, Bashir Ahmad Basheer said that in Ramadhan dates worth more than Rs 12 crore are being imported and consumed in Kashmir.
“With each passing year, the people in the Valley have become more health conscious and do consume mostly quality dates being imported from Middle East. These dates are priced between Rs 800 to Rs 2000 a kg,” he said adding that the dates are an important import commodity this time.
People prefer to break their fast with dates as they are a rich source of energy, contain vitamins, proteins, potassium and masses of fibre that make them easily digestible.
Ajwa dates, which come from Middle East have become popular among people here. They cost around Rs 2000 per kilogram. Next comes Iranian dates which are of several types.
Basheer said that over the years packaging of the dates has vastly improved.
“Earlier consignments of soft dates would come wrapped in date palm leaves, which now have been replaced by a compressed polythene packaging,” he said adding packaged dates are directly imported from Middle East where they are being processed before being dispatched to various places across globe including Kashmir.
Pakistani dates also find their way in the Kashmir markets.
General Secretary, Salamabad – Chakoti traders association, Hilal Turki said till now they have received 7 truckload of dates from Pakistan.
“During month of Ramadhan there is huge demand for dates and since the inception of cross LoC trade, Pakistani dates are being imported to Kashmir and are consumed with craze,” he added.
Local vendors state that low quality dates from Indian markets have witnessed a drastic reduction in demand since the inception of import of Saudi and Pakistani dates to the valley.
“Everybody is more concerned about hygiene and quality of dates rather than its price,” said, a vendor at Soura market.
“Once you have dates in air tight boxes, it gives you satisfaction about their hygiene,” Ajaz Lolpuri, a Srinagar resident, said.
Another customer said, “Earlier one had a limited option in dates, but now one can choose from quality dates.”
