An Overview of the Date Trade in Iran
Hossein Ghazi
CEO @ Liyana Trade Development | Specializing in the export of plastic, nylon٫ nylex, and innovative packaging solutions worldwide. | Germany-Algeria-Iran |
Date fruit is one of the most significant agricultural products of the Middle East and North Africa, regions where the oldest human civilizations emerged. Agriculture was fundamental to the development of these civilizations, and dates are one of the earliest crops cultivated by humans, dating back 8,000 years.
Dates are harvested from date palms, which are considered sacred by many inhabitants of the hot regions of the Middle East. These trees are revered and even regarded as the tree of life in some cultures. Historians believe that dates are among the ancient fruits and one of the first to be cultivated.
Today, countries in this region, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, are the largest producers of dates globally. Various types of dates, each with unique characteristics, can be found in these areas. Southern and southeastern Iran are known for producing some of the finest dates in the world, varying in color, shape, and taste, each serving different purposes.
Dates are extremely healthy and should be included in your diet. Regardless of the type, all dates are rich in beneficial properties for the body, being loaded with essential nutrients. Dates are used in recipes worldwide, not only as a natural sweetener but also as an ingredient in a variety of dishes, from beverages to main courses and desserts. This versatility makes it easy to benefit from their properties.
Key health benefits of dates include their richness in vitamins, minerals, sugars, and fiber, as well as their ability to provide energy. They also contain calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Dates can serve as a sugar substitute for diabetics when consumed with tea.
Some types of dates are inherently dry (such as Zahedi dates), but many have varying moisture levels depending on their harvest time or storage and packaging methods. When buying dates, it's essential to consider your preference for moisture content, as outlined below:
Two crucial characteristics that distinguish different types of dates are moisture content and sugar type.
Moisture Content:
Dates can be classified based on their moisture and water content into three categories:
Generally, dry dates contain more energy and sucrose (a complex sugar) than semi-dry and soft dates, which have the least energy and sucrose.
Sugar Types:
Dates contain various types of sugars, primarily:
Different types of dates contain varying amounts of these sugars. Some may have only one type, while others may contain all three, but the differences are usually minimal, around 2%.
Other Differences Among Dates
Dates undergo three main stages from unripe to fully ripe, each with distinct changes:
- Composition: Varies throughout the ripening stages.
- Color: Changes as the date matures.
- Texture: Evolves from soft to firm.
- Size and Flavor: Varies among different types.
There are four primary differences between rutab and fully ripe dates:
1. Dates are harvested later when fully ripe and dry, while rutab is harvested slightly unripe and juicy.
2. Dates contain more minerals such as potassium, iron, calcium, and magnesium compared to rutab.
3. Dates have a firmer texture, whereas rutab is softer and juicier.
4. Dates have a longer shelf life and can be stored at room temperature, while rutab needs refrigeration or freezing and has a shorter shelf life.
Iran has fertile land ideal for date production, making dates a significant export product. Here are some popular varieties:
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Mazafati Date: The Most Famous Iranian Date
Mazafati dates are one of the most well-known dates in Iran, often harvested in their semi-dry form. These dates are incredibly delicious and have many enthusiasts both in Iran and abroad.
Kabkab Date: Large and Affordable
Kabkab dates are also very popular among date consumers. They are particularly favored for home use due to their affordable price. Despite being cheaper than Mazafati dates, they do not lack in nutritional value or taste. Kabkab dates are available in semi-dry, syrup-coated, and non-syrup varieties.
Khasouei Date: The Charming Little One
Khasouei dates might be less known compared to the previous two. However, in recent years, they have gained a lot of popularity among date enthusiasts due to their unique taste. These are some of the smallest dates cultivated in Iran and are considered to be one of the most delicious dates available at a reasonable price.
Zahedi Date: Crisp and Delightful
Zahedi dates differ significantly from the other varieties mentioned above. Unlike the other three, which have a soft texture, Zahedi dates are completely dry and moisture-free. Known as a type of dry date, they are also referred to as "Ghasb." These dates are very crisp and tasty.
Piarom Date: Premium and Perfect for Special Occasions
Piarom dates are one of the finest and most export-oriented varieties of Iranian dates, popular in Arab and European countries. This type of date has a thin, dark skin that clings tightly to the flesh and offers a unique sweet flavor. Piarom dates are elongated, semi-dry, and dark brown to nearly black. They are considered one of the most expensive dates in Iran. While Piarom dates can be eaten on their own, they can also be part of delicious dishes. Due to their low moisture content, they have a long shelf life when stored in an airtight container. They are used not only for sweetening cereals, puddings, bread, cakes, and healthy ice cream but also for making date sugar, which has specific benefits compared to cane sugar.
Types of Piarom Dates:
- Super Select Piarom Dates: The highest quality Piarom dates with thin skin and dark color. The flesh is soft and tender, and the taste is sweet and delightful.
- Select Piarom Dates: High-quality Piarom dates that are similar in size and quality to Super Select but may have slightly thicker skin.
- Standard Piarom Dates: Medium-quality Piarom dates with thin skin and medium color. The flesh is soft and tender, and the taste is sweet.
- Economy Piarom Dates: Lower quality Piarom dates with thicker skin and darker color. The flesh is not as tender, but the taste remains sweet.
- Pitted Piarom Dates: These dates have their pits removed manually or mechanically. They have the same quality and taste as other Piarom varieties but are priced higher.
Shahani Date
Shahani dates are popular among date enthusiasts and can be considered the smaller sibling of Piarom dates. They resemble Piarom in appearance but are smaller and thinner, yet equally delicious.
Medjool Date: The King of Dates
Medjool dates, known as the king of dates, are luxurious and among the most popular export dates globally. They are large and have a soft texture. Like Piarom dates, Medjool dates are highly prized and expensive, often used for special occasions.
Estamaran Date: European Favorite
Estamaran or Sayer dates are one of Iran’s valuable export dates, mainly grown in Khuzestan province. Most of this date’s exports go to European countries and Russia. Estamaran dates are elongated with a medium size. The pit separates easily from the flesh, making them easy to de-pit. Due to their low moisture content, they are easy to store, which may contribute to their popularity as an export product.
The largest date exporters in the world include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman, Iraq, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Yemen, Turkey, and Brazil. These countries are recognized as leading date producers globally and export significant quantities of dates to countries such as China, India, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Iraq. By producing high-quality dates and utilizing advanced technologies, they have established themselves as pioneers in the global date export market.
FAO trade statistics for 2021 indicate that global date exports amounted to 1.74 million tons, while global imports stood at 1.82 million tons. Major date exporters include Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, Iran, Pakistan, and Tunisia, collectively accounting for 5.79% of the global date export market. Iran, with an average export of 80,000 tons (equivalent to 12% of its production), captured approximately 14.55% of the annual global date export market. The average global export price per ton of dates was around $1,320, while in Iran, it was $480 per ton.
Iran is the second-largest date producer in the world after Egypt and plays a significant role in exporting dates to the top importers of this product. In 2023, nearly 389,495 tons of various types of dates, valued at $345,387,122, were exported from Iran, reflecting an increase of 4% in weight and 6.7% in value compared to the previous year.
In 2023, more than 90 countries were destinations for Iranian date exports, with India being the largest importer, purchasing 90,237 tons worth $84,794,000. Following India were Pakistan with 91,199 tons worth $72,044,576, Turkey with 39,048 tons worth $36,167,000, Kazakhstan with 24,143 tons worth $18,022,000, China with 10,321 tons worth $11,975,000, Iraq with 8,886 tons worth $9,440,000, and Russia with 10,103 tons worth $9,376,000.
Other popular Iranian date exports included:
In summary, investing in the production, processing, and export of dates in Iran is a traditional and profitable trade. As a producer, seller, or buyer, you can benefit from the commercial services of Liana Trade Development to facilitate this beneficial trade process.