APMC Dates Market Mumbai 2025: Top Wholesale Suppliers, Today’s Prices, Timings & Insider Tips
By Mohammad Abid Hurzuk • • Updated:
Quick Answers (2025)
- Where is the APMC Dates Market? Sector 19, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400703 (Dates & Dry Fruit section).
- Timings? Monday–Saturday, ~10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (closed on Sundays). Reach early for freshest stock and best negotiations.
- Who can buy? Retailers, distributors, corporate buyers, exporters, and registered businesses. Carry basic KYC (GST, visiting card, ID).
- Today’s indicative prices? Semi-dry dates ₹130–₹150/kg; Kimia ₹180–₹300/kg (quality/brand dependent). Always confirm on the day.
- Top varieties in demand? Medjool, Ajwa, Sukkari, Kimia, Zahedi, Mabroom, Mazafati (seasonal), Safawi, Kalmi.
- Payment & logistics? UPI/NEFT widely accepted. Arrange transport, consider cold storage for soft/moist varieties.
- Why Vashi APMC dominates in 2025
- Location, entry & timings
- How auctions & pricing work
- Indicative prices (2025)
- Top varieties & uses
- Quality checks
- Reliable wholesale suppliers
- 2025 seasonality calendar
- GST, FSSAI & documentation
- Packaging, storage & logistics
- Buyer playbooks
- Negotiation tactics
- Buyer FAQs
Why the APMC Dates Market in Vashi dominates in 2025
Vashi’s APMC remains India’s most influential wholesale mandi for dates. It brings together importers, packers, auctioneers, and logistics under one regulated campus, making bulk procurement faster and more transparent.
50+ global varieties—from premium Medjool & Ajwa to industrial Zahedi—available across grades and packs.
Open bidding and daily movement align prices with real-time supply, quality, and international arrivals.
Cold rooms, warehousing, and loading bays reduce damage and speed up dispatch.
Exporters, gifting companies, online sellers, and kirana retailers all source here, creating consistent liquidity.
Location, entry & timings
Address: APMC Market, Sector 19, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400703 (Dates & Dry Fruit Section).
Market hours: Monday to Saturday, typically 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Who can enter: Buyers with basic trade intent. Carry a visiting card, GST details (if applicable), and a government ID. Some auctions may require buyer slips from the yard office.
Best time to visit: Mornings for fresh arrivals and more supplier face-time; late afternoon for end-of-day deal-making.
How auctions & pricing work
Consignments arrive from importers and stockists. Lots are opened, sampled, and graded. Traders bid per carton or per kilo. Winning bids set the day’s trading tone for that grade and variety.
- Drivers of price: International shipments, port clearances, festival demand (Ramadan/Diwali), packaging quality, moisture, size, and defect rate.
- Common packs: 500 g retail pouches, 1 kg boxes, and 5 kg bulk cartons for semi-dry dates.
- Taxes: Many edible dates attract 12% GST (confirm live slab and HSN with your supplier).
Indicative wholesale prices (2025)
| Date type | Typical pack | Indicative range (₹/kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-dry (Zahedi & similar) | 5 kg bulk cartons | ₹130 – ₹150 | 12-month shelf life; value for re-packing |
| Kimia (soft) | 500 g / 1 kg retail | ₹180 – ₹300 | Quality, brand, and moisture drive price |
| Medjool (premium) | 1 kg / gift boxes | Market-linked | Size grades: Small/Medium/Large/Jumbo |
| Ajwa / Sukkari / Mabroom | Retail & gift packs | Market-linked | Peaks during Ramadan & gifting season |
Ranges are indicative for 2025 and vary by day, grade, and supplier. Confirm current lot rates before purchase.
Top varieties & how traders use them
| Variety | Origin | Profile | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medjool | Jordan/Israel/USA | Large, soft, caramel notes | Premium retail, corporate gifts |
| Ajwa | Saudi Arabia | Soft, dark, revered | Festive/high-value assortments |
| Sukkari | Saudi Arabia | Sweet, crisp-soft bite | Retail & celebration packs |
| Mazafati | Iran | Moist, melt-in-mouth | Cold-chain retail, desserts |
| Kimia | Iran | Soft, glossy, sweet | Mass retail, online combos |
| Zahedi | Iran/Iraq | Semi-dry, fibrous | Re-packing, value SKUs |
| Mabroom | KSA/ME | Elongated, firm-soft | Gifting assortments |
| Safawi/Kalmi | KSA | Soft-chewy, dark | Retail blends, mix boxes |
Seasonal note: Some moist varieties need temperature control. Plan insulated transport and quick shelf turnover.
Quality checks that save money (do these at the shopfloor)
- Taste & texture: Sample 3–5 pieces per lot. Check bite, sweetness, and aftertaste.
- Moisture & stickiness: Excessive stickiness attracts dust/mold; ensure adequate pitting or seed integrity.
- Defects: Look for skin lift, crystallization, insect damage, fermentation smell, and embedded sand.
- Size grading: For Medjool, verify the declared grade (Small → Jumbo) by random count-per-kg.
- Packaging: Inspect seal strength, food-grade laminates, and batch/traceability codes.
- Labelling & compliance: Confirm FSSAI license on domestic packs; for imports, check bills and origin.
Reliable wholesale suppliers (spotlight + how to verify)
Vashi hosts 150+ importers/wholesalers. Use this simple verification flow before placing bulk orders:
- Collect visiting card, GST, and FSSAI details.
- Ask for 2–3 trade references (recent buyers).
- Inspect current lots; compare with catalogue photos.
- Start with a pilot PO; audit transit time and damage rate.
- Scale volumes only after two clean cycles.
Supplier spotlight: Hurzuk Enterprise LLP
Known for consistent grading and corporate gifting solutions.
- Specialties: Medjool, Ajwa, Sukkari, Kimia, Zahedi; Ramadan hampers; exporter support.
- Facilities: Cold storage and dispatch support in/around Vashi.
- Contact: Website • hurzuk.abid@gmail.com • WhatsApp: +91 8879666906 • LinkedIn
Finding more suppliers
- Walk the Dates & Dry Fruit section and note stall numbers with active lots.
- Use trade directories (e.g., IndiaMART vendor pages) to pre-screen.
- Request factory/warehouse visit if you plan private label volumes.
2025 seasonality & demand spikes
- January–March: Inventory balancing; good window for contract pricing.
- Ramadan lead-up: Premium AJWA/MEDJOOL/SUKKARI tighten; plan early.
- April–June: Online demand picks up for gifting and fasting baskets.
- Monsoon watch: Moist varieties need careful handling; plan cold storage.
- Festive (Oct–Dec): Corporate hampers & wedding favours lift premium assortments.
GST, FSSAI & documentation (checklist)
- GST: Many edible dates attract 12% GST; verify HSN and slab on invoice.
- FSSAI: For retail packs, ensure valid FSSAI number, veg symbol, MRP, batch, mfg/expiry, net weight, importer/packer details.
- Imports: Keep copy of import docs (BoE, COO, lab test if applicable) for brand assurance.
Packaging, storage & logistics
- Soft/moist dates: Use insulated vehicles or reefer for long routes; avoid direct sun at loading.
- Carton strength: Opt for high-BF corrugation; moisture can soften walls.
- Warehousing: Cool, dry room (ideally 8–18°C for moist types). FIFO rotation reduces crystallization.
- E-commerce: Standardize SKU weights, add tamper seals, and include silica gel where relevant.
Buyer playbooks (retailers, exporters, corporate)
Retailers & resellers
- Build a ladder: Value (Zahedi) → Mid (Kimia) → Premium (Medjool/Ajwa).
- Bundle dates with nuts/spices for margin expansion.
- Run festival pre-orders; collect advances to lock inventory.
Exporters
- Confirm destination country requirements (labelling, permissible additives).
- Use third-party inspection for high-value lots.
- Plan reefer consolidation to cut per-kg freight.
Corporate gifting
- Finalize gift SKUs 6–8 weeks pre-event; confirm gift box strength and branding.
- Offer sugar-free/vegan variants to widen acceptance.
- Keep spares (2–3%) for last-minute headcount changes.
Negotiation tactics that actually work
- Share your monthly run-rate and lock a rolling quantity for better slabs.
- Accept mixed-grade pallets to soften per-kg pricing.
- Offer faster payment terms (UPI/NEFT) to trim margins.
- Pick up ex-warehouse to save on last-mile costs.
Buyer FAQs (fresh set for 2025)
Do I need a trade license or GST to buy at APMC Vashi?
For wholesale transactions and re-sale, GST registration is recommended. Carry visiting card, GST details, and ID for smooth invoicing.
Are digital payments accepted?
Yes. UPI/NEFT/RTGS are common. Confirm payee name (as per GST) before remitting.
What’s the best month to secure premium Medjool?
Book ahead of Ramadan and the festive quarter; early contracting ensures grade and continuity.
How do I test Kimia quality quickly?
Open a random box, check gloss without excessive syruping, taste 3–5 pieces, and inspect for fermentation smell or skin lift.
Can small retailers buy directly?
Yes. Start with mixed cartons or half-pallets where available. Many suppliers support low MOQs during off-peak weeks.
How should I transport moist varieties in monsoon?
Use insulated vehicles, avoid mid-day loading, and move directly to cool storage. Keep cartons off the floor with pallets.
What documentation is printed on compliant retail packs?
FSSAI number, batch/lot, net quantity, MRP, mfg/expiry, veg mark, packer/importer details, and customer care.
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