Hyderabad, August 11: With the Holy Month of Ramzaan around the corner, wholesale dates (khajoor as these are called) merchants in Begum Bazaar are a happy lot.
Their shops are being thronged by retailers who buy from this wholesale market and sell the dates around the city and across the state.
Scores of labourers are seen unloading sacks and cartons full of Omani, Irani, Madni, Arabian and plain dates. These are sold here in quintals to the retailers.
The plain dates are the fastest moving commodity, since they are reasonably priced and fit the common man’s budget.
They are sold for around Rs 37 per kg to Rs 45 per kg, depending on their quality. These dates are then retailed from Rs 45 to Rs 60 per kg.
The imported dates are steeply priced from Rs 300 per kg for the Arabian variety to the Rs 160 to Rs 200 per kg, depending on their quality. The Irani dates are sold between Rs 260-280 a kg. According to one trader, the steep prices of these imported dates is driving away the retailers
The dates are seen necessary to break the day-long fast by pious Muslims, following the tradition of the Holy Prophet.
A merchant at Begum Bazaar said that the prices of dates will vary as the month of Ramzaan goes by, since fresh stocks of many more varieties will be available, and this will most likely bring prices of the imported dates down.
–INN