The demand for dates from Israel has increased in several markets around the world says Yacov Hason, marketing manager of Erel Dates based in Israel, FreshPlaza informs.
“We worked a lot this past season and exported a lot of dates to Dubai, Russia, and the United States. This year we opened a lot of free market space in the United States and it’s perfect.”
Hason how is also a date grower who has 100 Dunham (10 hectares) with the farm being managed by his wife. This is while he works for Erel Dates, which is owned by the big supermarket group Osher Ad in Israel. The company grows fresh produce in Israel and also has supermarkets in New York called Bingo where they sell this produce.
Other markets that import the dates include Brazil and Argentina as well as the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, and South Africa. In Asia, they export dates to China, India, and Thailand with growing interest from Taiwan too. “The Export to Taiwan still has not started yet. We are working on it.” There is some renewed interest in the China market after it reopened for Israel’s dates a few years ago says Hason. “Exports to China have of course started with a little volume at the moment, but I believe that next season it will grow.”
Dates have traditionally sold well during Ramadan and this year is expected to be no different. “Most of the packaging is in 5kg boxes. The demand is higher because Ramadan is coming and all the customers are very very happy with the price and the quality.”
Israel’s currency the Shekel has been strong in recent years, almost disallowing extra export returns to growers due to the stronger exchange rate. It is therefore closely watched by exporters and growers. “The Shekel is pretty stable right now, but the prices of dates are rising.”
Hason says, although the packing season has ended, the marketing is ongoing. “The picking season has ended, including all sorting. Marketing is still ongoing. Medjool and Deglet Nour are the most popular varieties,” concludes Hason.
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