India Dates Buyer’s Handbook (2025): Varieties, Wholesale Prices, Grades, Storage, FSSAI & Sourcing Map
By Mohammad Abid Hurzuk • Published • Updated
A one-stop reference for retailers, distributors, and importers: learn the strengths of each variety, sensible 2025 wholesale price bands, how grades & counts affect margins, the FSSAI labeling checklist, cold-chain do’s & don’ts, and the global sourcing map that feeds India’s dates trade.
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Retailers, resellers, corporate gifting, HORECA, and ingredient users (paste/syrup/diced).
Book ahead of Ramadan & festive peaks; use pilot lots to validate quality.
Quality variance, cold-chain gaps, FX, labeling errors. Mitigate with SOPs and inspections.
Specify grade + count on every PO; price ladders become predictable.
2025 wholesale price bands (India market guidance)
These are indicative working ranges for clean lots and typical packs. Expect movement by grade, branding, season, and logistics. Always confirm the day’s quote before PO.
| Variety | Typical packs | Wholesale band (₹/kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medjool | 1 kg / 5 kg cartons | 500 – 800 | Size-led pricing (Medium → Jumbo). Premium gifting & modern trade. |
| Ajwa (KSA) | 500 g / 1 kg gift & retail | 800 – 1200 | Authenticity & size matter; Ramadan demand spike. |
| Mazafati / Kimia (Iran) | 500 g / 1 kg / 5–6 kg | 180 – 300 | Soft & moist; cold chain recommended for texture. |
| Sukkari (KSA) | 500 g / 1 kg / 5 kg | 300 – 600 | Golden, honey-sweet; strong festive pull. |
| Safawi (Kalmi) (KSA) | 1 kg / 5–10 kg | 150 – 450 | Affordable black date; good margins at scale. |
| Zahedi / Zahidi (Iraq/Iran) | 10–20 kg bulk | 150 – 400 | Semi-dry, value segment; long shelf-life & re-pack friendly. |
| Deglet Noor (TN/DZ) | 1 kg / 5–10 kg | 220 – 420 | Semi-dry, versatile; popular in ingredients. |
Grades & count sizes: decode quality before you price
Two levers define your landed price and margin: size (count per kg) and appearance/texture grade. Fewer pieces per kg ⇒ larger fruit ⇒ higher price. Appearance covers uniformity, skin lift, stickiness, defects and moisture.
Common size bands (example: Medjool)
| Label | Approx. count / kg | Use-case |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbo | ≈ 35–45 | Luxury gifting; premium trays. |
| Large | ≈ 50–60 | Modern trade, gourmet retail. |
| Medium/Standard | ≈ 65+ | Value retail; bakery & blends. |
Appearance grades (example: Iranian soft dates)
- Grade A — plump, glossy, soft & uniform; minimal skin lift; strongest retail presentation.
- Grade B — slightly smaller or drier; minor cosmetic issues; good value for mixed boxes.
- Grade C — economy; more wrinkles/dryness; suited to paste/syrup/industrial use.
Shop-floor checks that save money
- Taste 3–5 pieces from random cartons; note texture, aftertaste, and sugar crystallization.
- Check stickiness: excessive syruping attracts dust/mold during retail display.
- Verify size claim by a quick count-per-kg sample for Medjool/Ajwa/Safawi.
- Inspect seals, laminate quality, batch & expiry, and traceability codes.
Storage, cold chain & shelf-life
Dates are hardy, but temperature discipline protects texture, taste and weight. Use the matrix below as a practical guide.
| Type | Ideal storage | Indicative shelf-life | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft / moist (Mazafati, Barhi) | Chiller 2–5°C, low RH | 4–6 months (sealed) | Keep cold chain in transit; avoid sunlight during loading. |
| Semi-soft (Medjool, Sukkari) | Cool 8–18°C or chiller | 3–9 months | Chiller extends freshness; watch for skin lift over time. |
| Semi-dry / dry (Zahedi, Deglet Noor) | Ambient < 20–22°C, low RH | 9–12 months | Use pallets; keep cartons off the floor; airtight once opened. |
- Open-box handling: transfer to food-grade airtight bins; add silica gel only where appropriate.
- FIFO/FEFO: rotate by expiry; don’t hold moist varieties over monsoon without chiller capacity.
- E-commerce packs: tamper seals + strong cartons; specify net weights clearly (500 g / 1 kg).
FSSAI labeling checklist (imports & repacks)
For compliant retail in India, ensure every consumer pack carries:
- Product name (e.g., “Safawi Dates”), net quantity in metric units.
- Importer/Packer name & address in India and FSSAI license number + logo.
- Batch/Lot, Packed on/Mfg & Best Before/Expiry.
- Country of origin and vegetarian symbol (green dot).
- Contact details for customer care; optional nutrition per 100 g for single-ingredient packs.
Tip: Keep master cartons labeled too (traceability). Pre-clear label artworks with your compliance consultant to avoid holds at port.
Global sourcing map & Indian gateways
India’s date supply is truly global. Key origins include Saudi Arabia (Ajwa, Safawi, Sukkari), Iran (Mazafati/Kimia, Zahedi), Iraq (Zahidi), Tunisia/Algeria (Deglet Noor), and USA/Israel/Jordan (Medjool). Re-export via the UAE (Dubai) remains common for mixed-variety consolidation.
Ports & hubs: Nhava Sheva/JNPT & Mundra/Kandla receive most containers. India’s largest wholesale hub for dates is the APMC Dates Market, Vashi (Navi Mumbai), supported by cold rooms and pan-India dispatch. Secondary flows serve Delhi (Khari Baoli), Chennai (Koyambedu), Hyderabad and other regional mandis.
Buyer FAQs (2025)
How do I compare two lots quickly?
Standardize a 10-point check: count/size, taste, crumb/skin lift, moisture/stickiness, defects, aroma, packaging/laminate, label compliance, batch/traceability, and carton strength. Price only after this grid.
What’s the best starter assortment for a new retailer?
Value: Zahedi (bulk → 500 g pouches); Mid: Kimia (1 kg); Premium: Medjool/Ajwa (gift boxes). Add Sukkari or Safawi for a sweet black option.
Why does the same variety show wide price differences?
Grade & count, moisture, brand packaging, seasonality, and logistics (reefer vs. ambient) change realizations. Always benchmark with size/grade notes, not just the variety name.
Do I need cold chain for all dates?
No. Soft/moist dates benefit most (Mazafati, fresh Barhi). Semi-soft like Medjool improve with chillers. Semi-dry/dry lots (Zahedi/Deglet Noor) are ambient-stable if cool & dry.
What documentation should I insist on from suppliers?
Commercial invoice, packing list, COO (country of origin), bill of entry (for imports), lab/quality report if applicable, and FSSAI license on consumer packs. Keep sample retains.
How do I reduce damages in monsoon?
Use insulated vehicles, avoid mid-day loading, palletize cartons, shrink-wrap, and move moist varieties directly to chiller. Don’t floor-stack near walls; allow airflow.
What payment terms work best in mandis?
UPI/NEFT/RTGS are common. Faster payments and mixed-grade pallets often unlock better slabs. Start with a pilot PO and scale after two clean cycles.
Where can I get consistent supply for corporate gifting?
Plan 6–8 weeks early. Lock Medjool/Ajwa/Sukkari grades, gift box specs, and QC sign-off. APMC Vashi suppliers with cold rooms can stage dispatches nationwide.
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