Srinagar, May 24: Come Ramazan, like elsewhere, the demand for dates picks up considerably in the Valley too, and thanks to globalization, there is obviously a huge variety to choose from.
According to the dealers, date from diffident West Asian countries – the “Arabian dates” are in huge demand.
“My shop has witnessed a huge rush of customers and so far I have sold dates worth Rs 2 lakh. As as far as the rates are concerned, there are varieties priced between Rs 700-1200 a kg,” says said Mehraj-Un-Din, a shopkeeper at Maharaja Bazar.
Different varieties of dates are imported from Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran. “Dates like Ajwa, Ambar, Mabroom are most popular among customers, as all three varieties are directly imported from Saudi Arabia,” he said.
The holy month is very good for business and everybody from shopkeepers to street vendors are making the best of it.
“I sell fruits throughout the year, but in Ramazan, I sell dates only as their demand is very high in this month. Until now have been doing a good business though I do not sell imported varieties,” said Umer Dar, a street-vendor.
The dates hold religious significance too, as Muslims believe that it is rewarding to do ‘Iftaar’ (or break fast) with dates.
“For me, dates are compulsory during Iftaar, because it is the Sunnah to break fast with a date,” says Muzamil Ahmed, a resident of Bemina.
