The month of Ramadan is going on. Iran is at war. He is alone fighting a powerful country like America, but in this holy month of Ramadan, Iran’s date is also in the news. Whenever there is talk of the best dates in the world, the name of Iran comes at the top. Iran is not only a big producer of dates, but its exports reach every corner of the world. Iran has created a distinct identity for itself in the dates market.
Come, amidst Ramadan and war, let us know why Iran’s dates are so special? How did it become such a big exporter? How many varieties are produced? Which are the other date exporting countries of the world?
Why is Iran’s date special?
The geographical position of Iran is like a boon for date cultivation. The climate here is hot and dry, which is considered most suitable for date palm trees. The history of date cultivation in Iran is thousands of years old. The farmers here have experience passed down from generation to generation. Iranian dates are known for their sweetness, texture and nutrients. They contain natural sugar, fiber, potassium and vitamins in abundance. This is why health conscious people make Iranian dates their first choice.
The climate of Iran is hot and dry, which is considered best for date palm trees. Photo: Pixabay
How many varieties of dates does Iran produce?
The diversity of dates in Iran is astonishing. More than 400 types of dates are grown here. Each variety has its own different taste, color and shape. Let us know about some major varieties.
- Mazafati: It is also called Rab date. This is the most popular variety. It is dark black in colour, soft and very juicy.
- Piarom: It is considered to be the most expensive and best date in the world. Its skin is thin and it tastes like chocolate.
- Sayer: It has a very high sugar content and can be stored for a long time.
- Zahedi: It is a dried date, which is less sweet and is good for those who do not like too much sweetness.
- Kabkab: It is large in size and dark brown in color, which is also often used in making syrup.
How did Iran become such a big exporter?
Iran is among the top three countries in the world that produce the most dates. Lakhs of tonnes of dates are produced here every year. Due to large scale production, Iran is able to meet global demand. The cost of farming in Iran is lower than other countries. Due to this, the prices of Iranian dates are quite competitive in the international market. Buyers are attracted towards it due to its low price and good quality.
Countries like India, Pakistan, Türkiye and United Arab Emirates are big buyers of Iranian dates. Photo:Getty Images
Iran has greatly improved its packaging technologies in the last few years. Now dates are packed as per international standards. This increases the shelf life of dates and makes it easier to export. The government of Iran runs many schemes to promote the agriculture sector. Farmers are given subsidies, modern irrigation facilities and technical assistance. This has improved both the quality and quantity of production.
Where do Iranian dates go?
Iranian dates are in demand almost all over the world. But its main buyers can be divided into some categories. Countries like India, Pakistan, Türkiye and United Arab Emirates are big buyers of Iranian dates. There is huge demand for Iranian dates in India especially during Ramzan. Iranian dates are also very much liked in countries like Russia, Germany, France and Britain. People here prefer premium varieties like Piyaram and Mazafati. Consumption of dates is high in Muslim-majority countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, and Iran is a major supplier. Iran is now making inroads into the markets of North America and Africa.
People here prefer premium varieties like Piyaram and Mazafati. Photo: Getty Images
The challenges facing Iran are no less
Despite being such a big exporter, Iran has to face some challenges. Banking and shipping sometimes face difficulties due to international restrictions. Apart from this, climate change and water scarcity are also a big concern. However, Iran is resorting to new technologies to deal with these challenges. They are now focusing on drip irrigation and better water management. Besides, they are also exploring new markets so that dependence on any one area can be reduced.
Iran earns up to 300 million dollars
Iran sends dates to many countries of the world every year. Its export price changes according to different years. It is generally believed that Iran exports dates worth about 25 to 40 million dollars in a year. In many analyses, the average figure is around $300 million. This amount depends on the season, crop, global prices and business environment.
Who are the five top exporters of dates?
Talking about the top exporters of dates in the global market, the main names of Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia and Israel are generally taken. Here, in a few years, Algeria and Iraq also emerge as strong contenders. The ranking keeps moving back and forth every year. The reason for this is production, price, weather and international demand. Nevertheless, Iran continues to be included among those countries whose dates are liked all over the world.
Also read: How Iran helped in the Mughal wars, what did the emperor ask for?