The sale of dates in Pune has fallen by 60 percent in the holy month of Ramadan because of the intense summer heat. The dates are available in plenty in the retail/wholesale market, but its buyers are fewer as most Muslims are avoiding them because of the scorching heat. They opt for juicy fruits like watermelon, muskmelon and grapes instead.
One market traders said: “The sale of khajur (dates) has declined by almost 60 percent, while the demand for the fruit is merely 40 percent this year because the community avoids eating the fruit in summer. The situation was the same last year. Dates exported from various countries are available in plenty, but there is no demand for them. The situation has forced dry fruit dealers to stock limited dates.”
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com