There is a great demand for dates in the Muslim dominated areas of Jajpur district these days as the community members are buying the fruit in bigger quantity to consume it for breaking their day-long fast in the ongoing holy Ramadan month.
Dates are associated with Ramadan and Muslims around the world partake in the tradition of ending their daily fast during this holy month by eating dates. Shopkeepers say that sale of dates has jumped by 70 to 80 per cent these days.“As the holy month of Ramadan has started, the demand for dates is at its peak. Dates contain multiple types of sugars, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Due to these qualities, dates are used to break fasts during the holy month of Ramadan across the Muslim world.
To chew texture of dates is a delightful experience. It is flexible and delectable, while it tastes sweet with a pleasant smell. Therefore, many Muslims use good quality fresh dates daily to get various nutritional requirements,” said SK Safiquddin of Bari.Prices of dates are on the rise in the Ramadan month. In Jajpur’ s dates market, 20 varieties are available, the most popular beingAnbara, which is also most expensive. The price of dates per kilo varies between Rs400 and Rs5,000.
“We purchase imported dates from Kolkata markets. Middle East countries are the main suppliers there. Ramadan month is the best period for us to sell dates to the Muslims who observe a fast during the period,” said Karim Khan, businessman of Balichandrapur.