The annual earnings from dates in the Mecca region amount to a maximum of 3,000 tons. The recently founded Saudi export company Alotaibi & Ebel Dates will receive a contractually secured share of 50 percent for exclusive marketing within the European Union. Because of the strict prohibition of pesticides and fertilizers during production, the products are purely biological, says Mario Ebel -company founder and managing partner of the GmbH. “We are aiming for a biocertificate within the next few weeks.”
Holy product
Because of the origin of the dates and their great popularity among citizens with Arabian roots, Mr. Ebel and his Arabian business partner, Sheik Khalaf ibn Abd al-Aziz Alotaibi, believe there will be a successful launch of the exclusive dates. With the steady growth of the North African and Arab population, according to Ebel the daily consumption also has great potential. This is confirmed by the sales figures. For worldwide, more than 6.42 million tons of dates were produced in 2016, which is 29 percent more than ten years ago. In the European Union -the world's third largest importer in terms of value and volume- the French buy most of the dates, with 25,606 tonnes in 2016, accounting for about 31 percent of these EU imports.
Today's packing station in the province of Mecca
Germans for example see dates more as Christmas articles, but for Muslims they are a sacred product. The exclusivity of the goods is also an important point. Ebel: "Over the years, dates from Tunisia and Algeria have prevailed in Europe because of the price. But the quality of the Arabian products is better."
Contractually, only half of the local yield of Mecca is shipped to Europe. These limited quantities represent about 10 percent of the total market in Germany, says Ebel. From February 2019, Mekka GmbH will launch the first batches on the market.
Germans for example see dates more as Christmas articles, but for Muslims they are a sacred product. The exclusivity of the goods is also an important point. Ebel: "Over the years, dates from Tunisia and Algeria have prevailed in Europe because of the price. But the quality of the Arabian products is better."
Contractually, only half of the local yield of Mecca is shipped to Europe. These limited quantities represent about 10 percent of the total market in Germany, says Ebel. From February 2019, Mekka GmbH will launch the first batches on the market.
Exotic products
Mario Ebel has been taking care of the European marketing of exotic products for many years. He is also founder and co-owner of Hylea Foods AG, trading Bolivian Brazil nuts. After initial indirect contacts with the exporters, Ebel became enthusiastic about the marketing project during a 10-day journey across Saudi Arabia, and he made the decision to found the company. The target group of Mekka GmbH are mainly consumers with foreign roots. As a result, the dates will be prominent in the commodities trading from early June to the Ramadan.
For more information:
MEKKA Dattel GmbH
Web: www.mekka-dates.com
The company site is currently under construction and will be launched within four weeks.