The date season in Iran is heading towards its final harvest. Although there are lower volumes available this year, the quality if the Iranian dates is a lot better, according to one exporter from Iran. Companies are currently finalising orders for the 2020 Ramadan season.
The Iranian dates are almost completely harvested, says Ms. Behnaz H. Beik, the managing director of exporter Aban Arya Tejarat Gostar Co. She expects the season will be a good one: “We’re in the final weeks of harvest. The quality of this year's crop is much better than last year in all growing areas; a very healthy crop with large berries. However the total quantity will be about 20-30% less than it was last year.”
Early in the season, the market was unpredictable and prices reflected this. According to Beik, the current situation is a lot healthier. “The prices are better than last two months i.e., early days of the harvest season, and that's because the market has become stable now. Big players are either finalising their orders for Ramadan 2020 or, like our company, have already finalised their orders and will start shipping cargoes to destinations from next month.”
Aban Arya hopes to expand its markets for the dates, but has not found the right territory just yet. “We have not entered any new market yet this season, but we are in negotiations to achieve new markets by next month, hopefully. Some date-varieties which are exclusively grown here in Iran such as Mozafati, Kali, Sayer, Kabkub, Maryami (Piyarom), Zahedi and Rabbee, have already become popular in international market.”
Another way to achieve reaching new markets is to show yourself during exhibitions. Aban Arya will be doing just that, by exhibiting during GulFood Dubai 2020, which is held between the 16th and 20th of February. “Our company is a member of INC (International Nuts & Dried Fruits Council) and therefore our GulFood Dubai booth can be found in Za'abeel Hall 2, at the INC pavilion. We would be more than pleased to receive potential buyers of Iranian dates at our booth, and with great possibilities that we have, we can provide customers with perfect services in price and on-time deliveries. Don’t hesitate to swing by and be convinced by the quality we have on offer.” Beik concludes.
