Time is ripe to buy dates in Ras Al Khaimah

Flocks of shoppers from all parts of the northern emirate and nearby towns are flocking to the market where the fruits now cost only Dh70 a kilogram.

If you are a big fan of dates, this is the right time to buy the fruit. The fruits and vegetables market in Ras Al Khaimah is filled with varieties of the fruit, and they are going cheap.
Just a few days ago, one kilogram of the first produce of the locally popular fruit used to cost Dh200. But, this is not the case now with large quantities being imported from nearby Oman.
Flocks of shoppers from all parts of the northern emirate and nearby towns are flocking to the market where the fruits now cost only Dh70 a kilogram.
"It is all about supply and demand," said Mohammed Basheer, a dates merchant at the market. "Early this week a 1kg of dates cost Dh220 to Dh300, but it is now available for Dh70 to Dh80."
Ridha Sulaiman, a dates merchant at the same market, said the type and quality of the dates being sold also count.

"The degree of ripeness and taste are also important."
Expecting a sharp drop in price, Raed Abdulsalam, another dates merchant, said 1kg of dates will soon be available for only Dh20 and even less. "This is basically due to the local Naghal dates which will be available in huge quantities." A kilogram of the first produce of dates cost as high as Dh8,000 in Al Ain last year. "Another variety cost Dh150, but customers still buy," said Mohammed Bakhit an Emirati dates trader.
Mohammed Taher, a dates trader said it costs a lot to import the early produce from Oman since local supply is low.
"Though Oman is close to the UAE, it is expensive to import the first produce. Dates ripen earlier in Oman due to the weather and its geography."
Saeed Salem, an Emirati of Maamura area, said he and his family are big fans of dates. "We cannot wait until the prices come down to buy dates. So we buy it even if it is expensive.
Ali Rashid, an Emirati of Al Nakheel area imported several boxes of Barhi dates from Latin America, exactly Peru. "The rare fruit can be shipped by air fresh with good taste, colour and size."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Ras Al Khaimah