“Finger of the Light” is among the most popular
The date species Deglet Nour from Tunisia is among the most popular kinds in the importer’s inventory. The date, which translates to “Finger of the Light”, comprises about 90 percent of the dates imported by Orient Fruits. “Per year around 135.000 tonnes of Deglet Nour are being produced in Tunisia”, the importer explains. “Of the other types of date, between 10.000 and 15.000 tonnes are being harvested annually”. Altogether Tunisia exports around 80.000 and 90.000 tonnes of dates per year, and with that belongs to the largest date exporters in the world.
For the occasional small energy boost
“By itself or coated in bacon, roasted in cream cheese, filled with nuts or diced and put into a salad, the date can be used for many dishes. The people love the taste”, Bouzir assures. “When one is professionally stressed and in need of a small energy boost, many would rather eat a few dates in between instead of a bar of chocolate. It is healthier”. The demand for dates is highest around Christmas time and in the fasting month Ramadan.
Price increase over the past two years
According to Bouzir, date-prices vary. He is however certain, that in the last few years a price-increase can be registered. “As much as possible, we have had consistent prices in Tunisia. For around two years we’ve had a lack of products and the sector is still coping with that. Many merchants and firms have to this day not yet fully recovered”. The date-season is from the end of September until the start of January.
“Dates are available all throughout the year”
“In January the last date was harvested”, Mohamed Bouzir states. “Dates are generally a natural product and can’t be grown in the same way as for example lettuce or tomatoes. Man can of course help a bit, but we are generally dependant on nature”. Furthermore, says Bouzir, not all dates are suitable for export all the time. When the season is over, dates are put in cold storage and are available throughout the year.
Mohamed Bouzir
Orient Fruits Import
Sömmeringstraße 33, 10589 Berlin
Tel.: 004930995 42 583
info@orientfruits-import.de