Srinagar, June 02 : The month of Ramadan is also known as the month of dates for the Shopkeepers in Kashmir as every variety of dates remains available in bulk quantity on their shops despite high rates.
People thronged to shops from the very first day to get the dates to break their long day fast, despite the increase in the prices in valley, people still prefer to buying them during this month.
The dates, considered auspicious by the Muslims to break their day-long fast, dominate the market places during the Ramadan month.
“There are many varieties of dates available in the market, ranging from Rupees 70 per kilogram to Rupees 800 per kg. Certain varieties of dates cost as high as Rupees 1800 to 6000 per kg but that does not prevent people from purchasing this fruit,” said Mohammad Imtiyaz, a wholesaler at Maharaja Bazar to Asiannewshub.
In the past, dry dates from Pakistan and wet dates from Iran were imported in Kashmir but now many high quality date varieties originating from Arabian countries and Middle East are sought by the customers, dealers say.
They added that earlier there were only a few varieties available in the market but now there is a high increase in the varieties, around dozens of them.
“Dates are mostly imported from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Muscat, Oman and Kuwait, on an average we sell 20 boxes of dates daily,” they added.
Farooq Ahmad owner of Sabar Foods told Asiannewshub, that dates like Fard, Ajwa, and Safawi are in more demand during the month of Ramadan as their rates remain below 500 rupees.
“Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recommended us to breakfast with dates. We prefer Ajwa because they are tasty and thickly swollen like honey. It gives good taste while breaking the fast with them,” said Bisma, a local of Karan Nagar to Asiannewshub.
Those in the dates’ trade say their sales increase during the month of Ramadan and people purchase in bulks. “Dates are used by customers throughout the year, but during the month of Ramdhan, shopkeepers do brisk business as the demand and the sales increase by 90 percent,” said a dealer Bashir Ahmad of Koker Bazar to Asiannewshub.
I have kept a low margin as I know I can triple the routine sale, “I hardly kept 20 rupees margin on a box costing 1000 rupees, but routinely I sell only two to three in a day, now a days I am selling around 10 boxes of one variety which compensates my profit,” he added.