USA Dates Market 2025: Varieties, Import & Wholesale Guide

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Updated: 22 Sep 2025 • USA Edition

USA Dates Market 2025: Varieties, Import Rules, Wholesale & Retail Guide

Your comprehensive playbook for the United States: date varieties, FDA/USDA import basics, wholesale sourcing, retail packaging & e-commerce, storage and recipes. Optimized for long-tail searches like “best Medjool count for gifting USA”, “Kimia cold chain shipping USA”, and “Deglet Noor diced wholesale California”.

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Contents

1. USA-Relevant Varieties (Flavor • Size-Count • Best Use)
2. Importing Dates to the USA (Plain-English Basics)
3. Wholesale Sourcing: Specs, Pricing & Logistics
4. Retail & D2C in the USA: Packaging, SEO & Merchandising
5. Storage & Shelf-Life in US Conditions
6. Quick Recipes & Use-Cases for US Consumers
7. Copy-Paste RFQ Template (USA)
8. FAQs

USA-Relevant Varieties (Flavor • Size-Count • Best Use)

The US dates market blends domestic production (notably Medjool and Deglet Noor from California/Arizona) with imports (Ajwa, Kimia/Mazafati, Piarom, Sukkari, Zahidi, Mabroom). Below is a concise matrix for quick selection by use case.

Variety	Taste & Texture	Typical Size-Count / Format	Best For (USA)
Medjool (USA, Jordan, Israel, Morocco)	Caramel-sweet; soft → tender-chewy	16–18 • 18–22 • 22–26 (lower = larger)	Premium gifting, natural snacks, hotel amenities
Deglet Noor (USA, Tunisia, Algeria)	Honey-nut; semi-dry, firm	Branch, pitted, diced, paste	Bakery, bars, granola, retail value packs
Ajwa (Saudi Arabia)	Deep, mellow sweetness; firm-soft	Large/Medium grades	Cultural gifting, specialty retail
Kimia / Mazafati (Iran)	Very soft, dark, juicy	Retail 500 g/1 kg; 5 kg masters	Everyday snacking (keep cold in transit)
Piarom (Iran)	Complex, dark-chocolate notes; semi-dry	Premium grades; limited supply	Connoisseur gifting; boutique grocers
Sukkari (Saudi Arabia)	Bright, naturally sugary; soft	Household & premium packs	Energy snacking; Ramadan retail peaks
Zahidi (Iraq, Iran, others)	Nutty; semi-dry, sturdy	Whole, chopped, paste	Value retail; industrial chopping/paste
Mabroom (Saudi Arabia)	Honeyed; sleek, chewy	Gifting grades; retail cartons	Ambient-friendly shipping; travel retail

Tip: When comparing quotes, match variety + origin + size-count + crop year. For Medjool, 18–22 often balances price and presentation for US retail.

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Importing Dates to the USA (Plain-English Basics)

Dates are generally straightforward to import compared with highly perishable produce, but US buyers must follow standard FDA and USDA/APHIS rules and ensure proper labeling.

Compliance Snapshot

• FDA facility registration for the foreign supplier/packer (if required) and for US importers that store/handle food.
• FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) for many importers/distributors—document safety, suppliers, and hazard controls.
• Labeling: statement of identity, net quantity (US customary + metric for retail), ingredient list (if processed), allergen statement (if applicable), nutrition facts for retail SKUs.
• Country of origin & lot/batch traceability.

Logistics & Handling

• Soft/moist dates (Medjool, Kimia): cold chain (≈4–12 °C) reduces texture loss and sugar bloom.
• Semi-dry (Deglet Noor, Zahidi, Piarom): generally stable at 15–20 °C; avoid heat spikes.
• Plan for last-mile insulation in warm states or summer months.

This summary is informational, not legal advice—check current FDA/USDA guidance and your customs broker’s advice for HS codes and admissibility.

Wholesale Sourcing: Specs, Pricing & Logistics

US wholesale pricing hinges on grade, size-count, origin, moisture profile, pack format, and seasonality. Align specs clearly to avoid apples-to-oranges quotes.

Spec	What to Request	Why it Matters
Size-count / Grade	e.g., Medjool 16–18 / 18–22 / 22–26; Ajwa Large/Medium	Drives visual impact and unit economics; larger fruit costs more
Moisture / Brix	Supplier declared range; product photos	Texture, shelf-life, and shipping fitness
Crop Year & Lot	Printed on master cartons + CoA if available	Freshness and traceability
Defect Tolerance	% acceptable skin breaks, pits in pitted, foreign matter = 0	Prevents disputes on arrival
Pack Format	5/10 kg masters; retail 500 g / 1 lb / 2 lb	Impacts case count, freight, shelf life
Incoterms	FOB origin, CIF/CFR, or ex-warehouse USA	Clarifies risk, freight and insurance

Freight economics: For soft dates, chilled LCL or reefer improves landed quality. For semi-dry, well-lined dry containers plus insulated last-mile often suffice in spring/fall.

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Retail & D2C in the USA: Packaging, SEO & Merchandising

Packaging That Converts

• Clear window + matte finish: shows texture; premium cues.
• Call-outs: “No added sugar”, “Fiber-rich”, “Grown in California” or origin country where allowed.
• Counts/kg on label for Medjool—helps justify price tiers.
• Resealable pouches for 12–24 oz (snacking) + 2 lb family packs.

US-SEO Product Page Essentials

• Long-tail H2s: “Best Medjool dates for gifts USA (18–22 count)”.
• Comparison table: Medjool vs Deglet Noor vs Ajwa (taste, texture, uses).
• Structured data: Product + FAQ; include Q&A on storage and count.
• UGC: photo reviews; questions answered within 24–48 hours.

Merchandising Playbook (Brick & Mortar)

• Taste flights: 3-variety sampler (Medjool/Ajwa/Deglet Noor) near nuts & dried fruit.
• Cross-merch with nut butters, yogurt, granola; recipe cards boost basket size.
• Seasonal endcaps: Ramadan, Rosh Hashanah, holidays—gift boxes with lower counts/kg.

Storage & Shelf-Life in US Conditions

Type	Examples	Best Storage	Indicative Shelf-Life*
Soft / Moist	Medjool, Ajwa, Kimia, Safawi	4–12 °C • ≤60% RH • airtight	≈6–9 months sealed
Semi-dry	Deglet Noor, Zahidi, Piarom, Mabroom	15–20 °C • dark • airtight	≈9–12 months sealed

*Check crop year and pack integrity. Let cartons acclimatize before opening to avoid condensation.

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Quick Recipes & Use-Cases for US Consumers

Medjool Energy Bites

Pulse Medjool + almond butter + cocoa + sea salt. Roll and chill. Add protein powder for gym-ready bites.

Ajwa Stuffed & Drizzled

Fill with walnuts; drizzle tahini + maple. Perfect for holiday platters and cultural gifting.

Deglet Noor Granola Bars

Use diced Deglet Noor for clean sweetness and structure; bakes with good bite.

More ideas: date shakes, bacon-wrapped dates, chopped dates in salads and couscous bowls.

Copy-Paste RFQ Template (USA)

Subject: RFQ —  Dates (Size-Count & Grade), , 

Specs:
• Variety & Origin: 
• Size-count / Grade: 
• Crop Year: 
• Pack: <5 kg / 10 kg> (retail masters if any; retail sizes if needed)
• Quantity: 
• Delivery:  | Lead time: 
• Docs: FDA/FSVP status, lot/batch, CoA; lab tests if applicable
• Incoterm/Payment: 

Please quote landed $/lb (or $/kg) by grade and share product photos. Samples: 1–2 kg requested.
    

FAQs

Which count should I stock for gifting? Medjool 18–22 usually balances visual appeal and cost for US gift boxes; 16–18 is premium-premium.

Is pitted always better? For snacking, pitted sells faster; for gifting, whole fruit presents better and keeps structure.

How do I prevent sugar bloom? Keep soft dates cool and stable; avoid temperature shocks; use airtight packs with barrier films.

Need wholesale lots or private-label packs for the USA?

Tell us your variety, size-count and destination. We’ll shortlist vetted lots, share samples, and quote landed prices.

💬 +91 88796 66906 (WhatsApp) • 📧 hurzuk.abid@gmail.com • 🌐 dates.business

Mohammad Abid Hurzuk

USA edition • Last reviewed: 22 Sep 2025.

This article is informational and not legal advice. Always verify current FDA/USDA guidance.