Palestinian Medjool dates are hitting the market. The export season will be short this year due to Ramadan starting earlier, according to Mo'men Sinokrot, Managing Director of Pal Gardens.
The grower says: "We have just started harvesting and I am delighted with the volumes and the very good quality of this season. We have larger dates and more Jumbo and Super Jumbo size dates, which are the most popular on the market. This coincides with strong demand for Palestinian Medjool dates. We have revised our export forecast upward to 3,800 tons this year, compared to 3,100 tons last season."
© Pal Gardens
Demand for Palestinian Medjool dates comes from three main markets, according to Sinokrot: "There is Turkey, the largest customer in terms of volume, the EU, which is also a major trading partner, and finally the United Arab Emirates. We expect exports to Europe to increase, following the trend observed in recent seasons of steadily rising demand in the retail market."
Palestinian exporters compete directly with other Medjool origins in the region, whose seasons coincide. These include countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. However, Sinokrot believes that competition will remain moderate: "In the Medjool sector, origin plays a major role in consumer preferences. You could even say that Palestinian Medjool dates are a product in their own right, with their own loyal customer base, and the same goes for other origins. Palestinian Medjoul is famous for its sweet, caramel-like taste and dark appearance.
Prices for Palestinian Medjool dates rose last season, according to Sinokrot, who expects the same trend this year. He adds, "We anticipate prices 10% higher than last season, when prices were already 6-7% higher than the season before. This increase is due to strong international demand."
© Pal Gardens
"Demand is being driven by consumption linked to Ramadan, as well as by the food choices of a broader consumer base that is turning to healthy foods and sugar substitutes. Due to Ramadan arriving earlier and earlier every year, falling in February this year, we are expecting a very fast campaign and to sell out our stocks by the end of December," Sinokrot adds.
"Pal Gardens Agricultural Company is a major Palestinian exporter to over 30 countries operating their own packing house in Jericho, Palestine, and working with a wide network of growers," he concludes.
© Pal GardensFor more information:
Mo'men Sinokrot
Pal Gardens
Tel: +97022972212 / +972544738728
Email: [email protected]
www.palgardens.com
