Iranian Date Exports Surge Ahead of Ramadan, Driven by Soaring Demand from India
07 March 2025, New Delhi: Iranian date exporters have capitalized on a prime market opportunity leading up to Ramadan, experiencing a significant rise in demand. According to Hadi Mirzaei, CEO of Darya Noosh Payab Trading, this year’s season has seen an impressive surge in orders.
“As Ramadan approached, we witnessed a 30% to 40% increase in demand for Mazafati dates across most of our markets,” Mirzaei stated. “While this has led to higher export volumes, it has also driven up prices. Personally, I prefer stable pricing, but market forces have dictated otherwise.”
India Remains the Largest Buyer of Mazafati Dates
Iranian exporters benefit from the fact that Mazafati dates, one of Iran’s premium date varieties, are also the preferred choice in India—the world’s largest importer of dates. Mirzaei emphasized, “India continues to be our top destination, maintaining its position as the biggest buyer of Mazafati dates this season. The variety is widely appreciated by Indian consumers and provides good margins for local traders.”
Price Volatility Challenges Exporters
Despite the robust demand, exporters have faced pricing challenges this season. “From the very first day of harvest, prices have been unstable and significantly higher than last year,” Mirzaei explained. “This is primarily due to reduced production coupled with rising demand. Additionally, an increasing number of Indian and Iraqi buyers are directly sourcing dates from Iran, further driving up the prices.”
While this trend benefits Iranian farmers, it complicates matters for local exporters who must pass on these higher costs to their customers. “It creates challenges for us, but we have to adapt to the shifting market dynamics,” Mirzaei added.
Growing Recognition for Mazafati Dates
Despite these hurdles, the Mazafati variety continues to gain recognition globally. “This variety offers a unique experience compared to other premium dates like Medjool. It is increasingly being recognized as a top-tier variety with a dedicated consumer base and growing demand,” Mirzaei concluded.
As global demand for premium dates intensifies, Iranian exporters are navigating both opportunities and challenges in an evolving marketplace.
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