Originated in desert region, the demand for healthy, delicious fruit, dates, is increasing day by day. Especially on the occasion of holy Ramadan, the import and sale of dates has increased tremendously. The country imports a lot of dates every year before Ramadan. Demand for dates peaks during the month of Ramadan. In Ishwardi upazila of Pabna, also there is a huge demand of dates thus the sale has increased at a huge rate. Now 19 types of dates are being sold in Ishwardi market.
Among the 19 types of dates are Lapta, Piroj, Vapas, Lulu Borai, Dhala, Dab, Mushroom, Kalmi, Adam, Maryam, Zahidi, Kamranga Maryam, Ajua, Emirates Gold, Nagal, Dhabas, Giapi, Medina-Monwara and Maksel. These dates are imported from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Pakistan, India and are being bought and sold by traders of Ishwardi from Dhaka.
Ordinary dates are available at Tk 110 to Tk 220 per kg in Ishwardi Bazaar. These include Lapta, Plum and Giapi. Dates like Maryam, Ajua, Adam etc are sold at 300 to 550 Tk per kg. Kamranga Maryam is being sold at Tk 800 to Tk 900 per kg and Maxell dates are being sold at Tk 900 per kg in Ishwardi Bazaar.
Looking around the market on Friday, it was seen that Maryam dates are being sold at Tk 500 to Tk 550 per kg. Azwa is available in 450 to 500 Tk per kg. Vendors are selling packaged Dhabas dates at Tk 400 to Tk 600 per kg. When asked, Nazrul Islam, owner of Bismillah Traders, a date trader in 1st lane of the market, said that this time there are lots of dates in Ishwardi Bazaar. 15 to 20 types of dates are sold in Ishwardi market. The price of dates varies from person to person.
Dates are sold at a minimum price of Tk 110 and a maximum price of Tk 1,500 per kg. Asked about the sales, the trader said that not everyone can buy dates as the price of dates is a bit high. However, the sales are good, he said.
Sohail Rana, a vendor in the old market, said Iraqi dates were sold at the lowest prices in the market. Its import volume is also high.
The price of Ziadi dates brought in sacks is 110 to 120 Tk per kg. Apart from this, plum dates are being sold at 150 to 180 Tk and nagal dates at 120 Tk per kg. However, due to the demand, the price of Maryam dates is as high as before.
Miriam dates are being sold at Tk 500 to Tk 550 per kg. Asked if prices could rise further, trader Sohail Rana said imports were high so it did not look like the price of dates would rise further.