33 brands of date products in the UAE markets

Field monitoring conducted by Emirates Today on a number of major sales outlets in Dubai and Sharjah markets revealed the presence of about 33 brands of date products of various types.

Monitoring showed a great diversity of date products traded in the country’s markets, the most notable of which included “Al-Fard,” “Al-Majdool,” “Al-Saqa’i,” “Safawy,” and “Lulu,” while the countries of origin for these products varied, led by goods of Emirati origin, followed by products of Saudi origin, in addition to types from Jordan, Iran, and Morocco.

Two sales outlet officials said that date products of all kinds are witnessing a large demand during the month of Ramadan, exceeding 70% compared to normal periods, especially with sales outlets competing in offering extensive discounts on dates at rates ranging between 20 and 60%.

Dates products

In detail, Emirates Today’s field monitoring of a number of major sales outlets in Dubai and Sharjah markets showed the presence of about 33 brands of date products of various types.

The countries of origin of the dates traded in the country varied to include products of Emirati origin, which account for the largest shares of the supply, followed by products of Saudi origin, in addition to products from the Kingdom of Jordan, products from Morocco, and others from Iran.

Field monitoring showed the availability of date products in multiple forms, including dates in different sizes and shapes, in addition to traditional date products in the form of fruits, others in the form of paste dates, and products in the form of “molasses,” while other date products are circulating in milk chocolate, white or dark chocolate, and others stuffed with nuts, most notably almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, and sesame or coconut products, in addition to organic dates of various types.

Types stuffed with nuts are sold at higher prices than plain dates, with types sold at a price of up to 60 dirhams for a package of 330 grams, and date products (organic date) are sold at high prices, reaching 65 dirhams for a package of 500 grams.

Multiple types

Field monitoring revealed the presence of multiple types of dates in the country’s markets, the most prominent of which are “Al-Fard”, “Majdool”, “Al-Saqa’i”, “Safawi”, “Lulu”, “Sukkari”, “Ajwa Al-Madina”, “Al-Khunaizi”, “Al-Khudari” and “Khalas”.

Each type of date has different characteristics that attract certain categories of consumers, especially those with extensive experience in dates. For example, “Khalas dates” are distinguished by their golden brown color, soft texture, and sugary taste, and they are usually served with Arabic coffee.

While “Al Fard dates” are characterized by their dark brown color and soft skin, they are famous for their cylindrical shape and their great popularity as a basic commercial type, and they often have a less sugary taste than others.

“Lulu” dates are characterized by being small in size, almost round in shape, and their color is very dark brown. It is characterized by a soft texture and balanced sugar, while “Al-Khunaizi” is distinguished by its dark reddish-brown color and good taste. Al-Khudari dates are dark brown to black in color, have a wrinkled skin, and have a medium sweetness with a raisin-like flavour. “Al-Saqa’i” dates are characterized by their medium size and cylindrical shape, characterized by a combination of brown and golden colours. They are characterized by their moderate sweetness and are usually served with coffee or stuffed with nuts.

Safawi dates are distinguished by their dark black color, medium size, soft paste-like texture, and moderate sweetness.

Ajwa dates differ from Medjool dates mainly in texture, taste and size. Ajwa is a small, dark, soft date with a medium sweetness, while “Majdool” is large in size, soft and creamy, with a rich caramel flavour. Ajwa is known for its high health benefits, while medjool is excellent for dessert and stuffing due to its moist texture.

High sales

Sales official at one of the retail outlets, Muhammad Amin, said, “Date products of all kinds witness a tremendous increase in demand during the month of Ramadan, due to their consumption being more common among the various communities residing in the country during the holy month, which witnesses a growth in sales of date products by rates exceeding 70% compared to normal periods.”

He added, “One of the factors that support the growth of date sales is the spread of discount offers on them before and during the month of Ramadan, which in some outlets exceed about 50%, which motivates many stores to increase their supply of dates during the Ramadan season.”

Dilip Vishal, a sales official at a retail store, pointed out that “date products witness competitive discount offers during the month of Ramadan, and these discounts range between 20 and 60% in many stores and e-commerce platforms.”

He pointed out that “different types of dates are witnessing demand according to consumption patterns and different tastes of consumer groups, and that sales growth on date products in general reaches rates exceeding 70% during the month of Ramadan compared to normal days, whether plain date products, stuffed with nuts, or covered with chocolate.”

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Trademarks

«Taj Dates», «Siafa», «Lulu», «Sharjah Coop», «Jumara», «Al Kharj», «Al Khair Dates», «Al Baraka Dates», «Bayara», «Dates and Coffee», «Mawa», «Betel», «Hira», «Permir», «Home Taste», «Lumi», «Al Tamam», «Natural», «Khat Dates», «Kingdom Dates», “Al Fakherah”, “Dietland”, “Al Rifai”, “Sultan”, “Union”, “Carrefour”, “Liwa”, “Green Value”, “Tamra”, “Kema”, “Samha”, “Happy Earth”, “Madhur”.

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Health benefits

Dates are a super valuable food, with their ability to provide the body with rapid energy. They contain antioxidants, and are an excellent source of potassium, magnesium, and iron. They are rich in copper sources, which makes dates an important food for maintaining bone health, the digestive system, and heart health.

Because dates are rich in iron, they help raise hemoglobin levels to treat symptoms of anemia or anemia. Dates enhance immunity by containing antioxidants, zinc and selenium, which strengthen the immune system.

Dates are known to be one of the most important sources rich in soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. Therefore, they play a role in enhancing the health and function of the digestive system, and preventing some intestinal disorders, intestinal and colon infections, as a result of their antibacterial properties and their role in stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine.

Many studies warn against excessive consumption of dates to avoid exposure to any potential harm caused by weight gain, as they contain a high percentage of calories. A small portion of dates, such as two dates, can contain the equivalent of 140 calories.

When dates are not traded in moderation, it may cause an increase in blood sugar levels among consumers, in addition to the fact that some individuals may not tolerate the “fructose” sugar in dates, and this condition is represented by the body’s inability to break down the “fructose” sugar.

. Monitoring showed a great diversity of date products traded in the country’s markets, the most prominent of which included “Al-Fard,” “Majdool,” “Al-Saqa’i,” “Safawi,” and “Lulu.”

. The countries of origin of the dates traded in the country include the UAE origin, which accounts for the largest share of the supply, followed by products of Saudi origin, in addition to products from Jordan, Morocco, and Iran.