Dates to cost 20 per cent more this Ramzan
Devotees would have to shell out 20 per cent more for dates this year as their prices have gone up in the international market. Most of the dates are imported from Tunisia, UAE and Saudi Arabia. An estimated 350 truckloads of dates, land in the city during Ramzan.
Hyderabad: Devotees would have to shell out 20 per cent more for dates this year as their prices have gone up in the international market. Most of the dates are imported from Tunisia, UAE and Saudi Arabia. An estimated 350 truckloads of dates, land in the city during Ramzan.
Dates in various sizes have already arrived and are available with supermarkets and pushcart vendors. Depending on the quality, their prices vary from as low as Rs 45 per kg to Rs 2,000 per kg. The popular and costly varieties include Mariam, Hayani, Khadrawy, Safawi, Khudri and Madhafi.
Abdul Raheem, a fruit seller at Moazzam Jahi market, the nerve- centre for fruits in the city, says, “Around 55 varieties of dates are usually available during the holy month of Ramzan. Truckloads are still on their way but the price is higher by 20 per cent for most varieties.”
The most sought-after Kimya dates cost Rs 180 per kg and the price is expected to go up to Rs 220-240 during Ramzan, say fruit sellers. “The present prices of the common fruits in the wholesale market are between Rs 40 to Rs 150 per kg. Watermelon is available for Rs 40, papaya at Rs 35, pineapple at Rs 35, pomegranate at Rs 150 per kg and muskmelon at Rs 20,” says Tariq, a fruit vendor at Moazzam Jahi market.
