National Production

The annual date production in Iran reaches 1 mln. MT dates of over 400 different varieties, of which 150K MT is exported, 300K is consumed in the domestic market and 550K MT is supplied to the processing industry which transforms it into things like paste, syrup, vinegar, date honey etc. A part of this last figure represents the industry waste also.

Ripening Stages

Of the total production, 10% concerns the date variety Mozafatii, which is specially well suited for fresh consumption. Of this 100K MT, 70K MT is consumed in the local market, while 30K is exported. The date generally has 4 different ripening stages. The first is the blossoming stage, the second features hazelnut-sized to almond-sized berries, at this stage the fruit is called Kharak. The third stage provides the fresh dates called Rotab at this stage and this is the stage in which the Mozafati date is sold. This is the reason why most of the consumers call Mozafati dates by the name Rotab. The fourth and last ripening stage gives mature dates and the name of the fruit at this stage is called dates. The majority of dates is packed and consumed in this stage.

Popular Varieties

Other varieties' Rotab have a shorter shelf life, but the Mozafati is exceptional in that it provides an adequate shelf life, even for a fresh date. The Netherlands shines as the major importer of fresh dates in European market, but mostly for its function as re-exporter to the European continent. There is also another variety called Berhi that is picked in the second ripening stage, the Berhi, is crunchy and sweet in its unripe state and is very popular with the Arab population in the Gulf region. Kharak Berhi is quite unique with a production of only 8000 MT per season. The date is generally a popular fruit in Iran, because it is sweet, rich in vitamins, but yet not fattening to the body and therefore an interesting item for diabetics.

Seasonal Fruit

It takes 1 month to harvest the whole crop of Mozafati dates, from late August to end of September. The general harvesting season for all varieties in Iran runs from august to late October. As the Mozafati date is a sensitive product, many packers pack immediately after harvesting, to avoid mechanical damage to the fruit as much as possible. However, when stored at a constant temperature of -5 ºC, the Mozafati fruit can be kept fresh for a 2 year storage period. Badr Day also offers customers the opportunity to pack any desired packaging, by keeping bulk in cold store in plastic baskets of 10 kg, before repackaging the fruit. Of course, Badr Day controls the moisture content of the fruit in bulk storage and when re-packing during the months after the harvest. Control of the moisture content is a must, if Mozafati are to be stored in bulk.

Juicy Fruit

The moisture content of the dates varies throughout the harvesting season of Mozafati, which features 3 main stages with 10-day intervals. In the first stage of harvesting, the moisture content is high, while the size of the fruit relatively small. In the second harvest stage the sizes are bigger while the moisture is mediocre and in the last stage the fruit is drier and smaller in size. The best fruit quality is obtained in the second harvest stage, on both characteristics, moisture level and size. The moisture content of the dates can be managed. When the fruit moisture is high, the fruit can be dried by blowing air, while when it is dry, it can be increased with a sauna-like steaming method.

Fruit with a high moisture content like 28% should be shipped in reefer containers to keep it fresh. This fruit type is desired by markets with cold climates like the Russian market and this fruit is more easily kept in good condition because of the cool temperatures, in which the fruit stays firm. The low juice content fruit, with 20% moisture is exported to Asian and Middle East markets mostly, where conditions are often hot and humid. Good moisture and temperature management is important to prevent the fruit from going sour or becoming too sweet. Fresh dates are best served cold.

For more information, contact:
Badr Day Co.
Managing Director: Behnaz Beik
No. 61, 1st floor, Modiriat Blvd., Chamran Exp'way,
Tehran - 19979 18465, Iran
P.O. Box: Tehran 14655 - 417

Tel : + 98 21 88690158 / 88680162 / 88691589 / 88691590 / 88691591
Fax: + 98 21 88681766
Web Site: www.day-co.com
e-mail: Behnaz.H.Beik@day-co.com & info@day-co.com

Publication date: 6/14/2007
Author: Andre van der Wiel
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

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Dear sir,

We are looking for supplier of Mozafati fresh date. Pls quote us the price of this to Hochiminh port, Vietnam. Quantity 20MT at first.

Awaiting for your reply soonest.

With our best regards,
Nguyen An Lac
Ngan Sang Co., Ltd
103, Block B, Ton That Thuyet apartment,
ward 4, Dist. 4, Hochiminh city, Vietam
E-mail: lacnguyen76@yahoo.com
Mobile: 84.8.908453159
Ngan Sang co., ltd, hochiminh, vietnam (email) - 7/13/2009 3:40:28 AM

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