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Dates: large warehouse supplies

May 11, 2020 at 12:04 PM , Der AUDITOR
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TEHRAN. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus has largely coincided with the start of Ramadan, which normally drives up export demand, this year, the timing could hardly have been worse for Iran’s date market. Large volumes have been stored as farmers turn to the domestic market for buyers.

Exports have stalled

Problem is that trading has largely stalled. Dates also pose the most important source of income in the eastern Kerman Province. The province accounts for an annual production of 350,000 metric tonnes. Dates are mainly exported to Muslims in a wide range of destinations ranging from Europe over the Far East to Arab countries, the Caucasus and Azerbaijan. This year shipments have, however, been largely disrupted with many countries closing their borders on a temporary basis. Some shipments are, for instance, still waiting at the Turkish border. China, which is the most important export destination, stopped importing dates a few months ago. Although most dates are normally exported, these volumes are currently held in cold storage facilities.

Ramadan gives prices a boost

Farmers are now finding it difficult to sell to the domestic market as markets here have also closed in recent months and competition is fierce. Market prices have, nevertheless, risen despite the large supplies as Ramadan has driven up domestic demand. Mazafati dates are trading EUR 0.08-0.10 per kg higher than two weeks ago.

Mazafati dates, Iran

Grade

EUR/kg

Grade A

1.24

Grade B

1.06

Premium Grade

1.32

FOB Iran

 

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price chart, Mazafati dates, dried, grade A, Iran
price chart, Mazafati dates, dried, grade B, Iran
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