The Ultimate India Dates Handbook (2025): A 2500-Word Guide to Wholesale Prices, FSSAI & Sourcing
By Mohammad Abid Hurzuk • Published • Updated
Welcome to the most comprehensive, data-driven guide for B2B buyers, importers, distributors, and retailers navigating India's dynamic dates (khajoor) market in 2025. This one-stop handbook provides an exhaustive breakdown of popular varieties, current wholesale price bands from APMC Vashi, the critical role of grades and count sizes in determining profitability, a step-by-step FSSAI labeling checklist for imports and repacking, essential cold-chain protocols, and a global sourcing map for the Indian trade. This is your definitive resource for making informed, profitable procurement decisions.
Guide Contents
- India's Dates Market Landscape (2025)
- 2025 Wholesale Price Bands by Variety
- Variety Deep Dive for the Indian Palate
- Grades & Count Sizes: The Key to Pricing
- On-the-Floor Quality Control Checklist
- Storage, Cold Chain & Shelf-Life Mastery
- FSSAI Compliance & Labeling (Imports & Repacks)
- Global Sourcing Map & Indian Trade Hubs
- Frequently Asked Questions for B2B Buyers
The Indian Dates Market Landscape (2025)
India stands as one of the world's largest importers of dates, with a market driven by a confluence of factors. The demand is not just seasonal but year-round, fueled by deep cultural traditions, a growing health-conscious consumer base, and the versatility of dates in both direct consumption and as a food ingredient.
Key Market Drivers:
- Cultural & Religious Significance: Dates are integral to festivals like Ramadan and Diwali, creating massive seasonal demand peaks for both gifting and personal consumption.
- Health & Wellness Trend: Consumers are increasingly seeking natural sugar alternatives. Dates, being rich in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants, are perfectly positioned as a healthy snack and ingredient.
- Gifting Culture: Premium date varieties like Medjool and Ajwa have become popular choices for corporate and personal gifting, commanding higher price points and margins.
- Food Processing Industry: The use of date paste, syrup, and diced dates is growing in the bakery, confectionery, and health food sectors as a natural sweetener and binder.
2025 Wholesale Price Bands (India Market Guidance)
These are indicative working ranges for clean, well-graded lots in standard packaging, primarily reflecting prices at the APMC Vashi hub. Prices are dynamic and will vary by grade, brand, origin, seasonality, and logistics. Always confirm the current day’s quote before placing a purchase order.
| Variety | Typical Packs | Wholesale Band (₹/kg) | Market Notes & Long-Tail Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medjool | 1 kg / 5 kg cartons | ₹500 – ₹800 | Pricing is size-led (Medium to Jumbo). Key for corporate gifting dates in India and modern trade. |
| Ajwa (from KSA) | 500 g / 1 kg gift boxes | ₹800 – ₹1200+ | Authenticity is key. Strong demand during Ramadan. Search term: original Ajwa dates price per kg. |
| Mazafati / Kimia (from Iran) | 500-600 g boxes / 5 kg | ₹180 – ₹300 | Soft & moist texture. Requires cold storage for Kimia dates to maintain quality. High volume seller. |
| Sukkari (from KSA) | 500 g / 1 kg / 3-5 kg | ₹300 – ₹600 | Golden, honey-sweet, often sold as "Sukkari Rotab". Strong festive appeal. |
| Safawi (Kalmi) (from KSA) | 1 kg / 5–10 kg | ₹150 – ₹450 | Affordable black date, great margins at scale. Often searched as Kalmi khajoor wholesale price. |
| Zahedi / Zahidi (from Iraq/Iran) | 10–20 kg bulk cartons | ₹150 – ₹400 | Semi-dry, long shelf life. The go-to for dates repacking business in India and processing. |
| Deglet Noor (from Tunisia/Algeria) | 1 kg / 5–10 kg | ₹220 – ₹420 | Semi-dry, firm texture. Popular as an ingredient for diced dates for bakeries. |
Variety Deep Dive for the Indian Palate
Understanding the nuances of each variety is crucial for targeting the right customer segment. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Medjool: The "King of Dates"
- Taste & Texture: Exceptionally large, soft, and succulent with a rich, caramel-like sweetness and a fibrous, melt-in-the-mouth texture.
- Indian Use Case: Primarily a luxury item. Dominates the corporate and wedding gifting segment. Sold in premium retail outlets and online D2C brands.
- Quality Check: Look for plumpness and minimal "skin lift" (where the skin separates from the flesh). Sold by count size (Jumbo, Large, Medium).
Ajwa: The Holy Date
- Taste & Texture: Small, round, and black with a unique, mildly sweet, and almost prune-like flavour. The texture is firm and dense.
- Indian Use Case: Purchased for its religious and health significance. Demand peaks during Ramadan. Authenticity and origin (Madinah, KSA) are major selling points.
- Quality Check: Authentic Ajwa has fine white lines on the skin. Be wary of cheaper black dates being passed off as Ajwa.
Mazafati (Kimia): The Everyday Indulgence
- Taste & Texture: Extremely soft, moist, and fleshy with a glossy black skin. Sweet, chocolatey, and caramel notes.
- Indian Use Case: A high-volume seller across India due to its affordability and desirable soft texture. A family favourite for direct consumption.
- Quality Check: Should be plump with no signs of fermentation (sour smell). Excessive syruping can be a sign of poor handling. Requires a consistent cold chain.
Safawi (Kalmi): The Versatile Black Date
- Taste & Texture: Oblong, dark black, and medium-sized. They are chewy and mildly sweet, making them a versatile option.
- Indian Use Case: A workhorse variety in the wholesale market. Offers excellent margins for bulk sales and repacking. Often sold under the name "Kalmi Khajoor".
- Quality Check: Look for consistent size and colour. Check for dryness; a good Safawi should still be chewy, not hard.
Grades & Count Sizes: The Real Key to Pricing and Profitability
Simply asking for a variety's price is not enough. Your profitability is determined by two critical factors: size (count per kg) and appearance/texture grade. Mastering this matrix allows for precise procurement and better margins.
Fewer pieces per kilogram means larger, more valuable fruit, which commands a higher price. This is especially true for varieties like Medjool and Ajwa.
Understanding Count Sizes (Example: Medjool)
| Size Label | Approximate Count per kg | Target Channel / Use-Case |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbo | ≈ 35–45 pieces | Luxury gifting boxes, premium trays, 5-star hotel amenities. |
| Large | ≈ 50–60 pieces | Modern trade supermarkets, gourmet retail stores, high-end sweet shops. |
| Medium/Standard | ≈ 65+ pieces | Value retail packs, e-commerce, bakery & HORECA applications, blending with nuts. |
Understanding Appearance Grades (General)
- Grade A (Export Grade): Plump, glossy, soft, and uniform in size and color. Minimal skin separation (<10%). Perfect retail presentation.
- Grade B (FAQ - Fair Average Quality): Slightly smaller or drier, minor cosmetic blemishes or skin lift (10-25%). Excellent value for mid-range retail and mixed gift boxes.
- Grade C (Industrial/Processing Grade): High variation in size, colour, and moisture. Significant skin lift or blemishes. Best suited for producing date paste, syrup, or for use in industrial baking.
On-the-Floor Quality Control (QC) Checklist
Before finalizing a large purchase, especially from a mandi or a new supplier, perform these simple checks. They can save you from significant losses.
The 5-Minute Mandi QC Drill:
- The Visual Check: Open 3-4 random cartons. Look for uniformity in size and colour. Check for mold, insect infestation (webs or holes), and foreign materials.
- The Count Test: For premium varieties, quickly grab a handful, weigh out 100g, and count the pieces. Multiply by 10 to verify if the count/kg claim is accurate.
- The Taste & Texture Test: Taste 3-5 dates from different boxes. Note the sweetness, aftertaste (should be clean, not sour or fermented), and texture (is it appropriately soft/chewy or unexpectedly hard/dry?).
- The Stickiness Check: For soft dates like Mazafati, check for excessive syrup leakage. While some moisture is normal, heavy syruping indicates potential heat damage and will attract dust and mold on the retail shelf.
- The Packaging Check: Inspect the integrity of the packaging. Are the seals tight? Is the carton strong enough for transport? Check for clear batch codes, manufacturing/expiry dates.
Storage, Cold Chain & Shelf-Life Mastery
Dates are a semi-perishable agricultural commodity. Implementing proper storage protocols is not an expense; it's an investment that protects your inventory's texture, taste, and saleable weight.
| Date Type | Ideal Storage Conditions | Indicative Shelf-Life | Critical Notes for Indian Climate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft / Moist (e.g., Mazafati, Barhi) | Chiller at 2–5°C, Low Relative Humidity (RH) | 4–6 months (sealed) | A continuous cold chain is non-negotiable. Avoid any temperature breaks, especially during monsoon season, to prevent fermentation. |
| Semi-Soft (e.g., Medjool, Sukkari) | Cool room at 8–18°C or Chiller | 3–9 months | Chiller storage drastically extends freshness and prevents drying. Watch for "sugar bloom" (harmless crystallization) if temperature fluctuates. |
| Semi-Dry / Dry (e.g., Zahedi, Deglet Noor) | Ambient cool & dry storage (< 22°C) | 9–12+ months | Highly stable, but must be protected from humidity. Use pallets, ensure good airflow, and keep cartons off the floor and away from walls. |
Logistics in the Indian Climate: Beating the Heat & Humidity
- Monsoon Protocol: For soft/moist varieties, use insulated or reefer vehicles for transport. Ensure your warehouse has dehumidifiers if you don't have chiller capacity. Shrink-wrapping pallets can provide an extra layer of protection.
- Inventory Management: Strictly adhere to a FIFO (First-In, First-Out) or FEFO (First-Expiry, First-Out) system. Don't get stuck with old stock of moist varieties post-monsoon.
- E-commerce Packaging: When shipping online orders, use tamper-evident seals and sturdy boxes to prevent crushing. For soft dates, consider adding a small food-grade ice pack during peak summer months.
FSSAI Compliance & Labeling: The Non-Negotiable Checklist
Adherence to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations is mandatory. Non-compliance can lead to shipment rejection, penalties, and brand damage. This checklist applies to both direct imports and products repacked in India.
Mandatory Declarations on Every Retail Pack:
- Name of the Food: Clearly state the product name (e.g., “Premium Medjool Dates” or “Pitted Safawi Dates”).
- Net Quantity: Must be in metric units (e.g., 500 g, 1 kg).
- FSSAI License Number & Logo: The license number and logo of the brand owner/importer/repacker must be clearly displayed.
- Importer/Packer Details: Full name and address of the Indian entity responsible for the product.
- Traceability Information: Batch/Lot number and Date of Packing/Manufacturing.
- Shelf-Life Information: "Best Before" or "Expiry Date".
- Country of Origin: Mandatory for imported products (e.g., "Product of Saudi Arabia").
- Vegetarian Logo: The green dot in a square.
- Customer Care Details: An email address or phone number for consumer queries.
Pro Tip: Get your label artwork pre-approved by a compliance consultant before printing thousands of boxes. A common mistake is using incorrect font sizes for declarations or missing the importer's address, leading to customs holds.
Global Sourcing Map & Indian Trade Hubs
India's date supply is a testament to its global trade relationships. While domestic production exists (primarily in Kutch, Gujarat), it's negligible compared to the vast quantities imported.
Primary Origin Countries:
- Saudi Arabia (KSA): Source of premium varieties like Ajwa, Safawi, and Sukkari.
- Iran: The powerhouse for high-volume soft dates like Mazafati/Kimia and semi-dry Zahedi.
- Iraq: A major historical supplier, primarily known for the cost-effective Zahidi date.
- UAE (Dubai): Acts as a crucial consolidation and re-export hub, allowing Indian importers to source mixed containers of dates from various origins.
- USA/Israel/Jordan: Key sources for high-quality, large-caliber Medjool dates.
- Tunisia/Algeria: The primary origins for the popular semi-dry Deglet Noor variety.
The Heart of India's Date Trade: APMC Vashi
Most of India's date imports land at the western ports of Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra. From there, the epicenter of the trade is the APMC Dates Market in Vashi, Navi Mumbai. This hub features hundreds of wholesalers, importers, cold storage facilities, and serves as the primary distribution point for the rest of the country. Secondary hubs like Delhi's Khari Baoli cater to the northern region.
Frequently Asked Questions for B2B Buyers (2025)
What is the current customs duty on dates imported into India?
As of late 2024/early 2025, the basic customs duty on dates (under HS Code 080410) is typically around 30-35%, plus applicable IGST. However, rates can change with government notifications and trade agreements. It's crucial to consult a Customs House Agent (CHA) for the latest, precise duty structure before finalizing your import costing.
How do I get an FSSAI license for repacking imported dates?
You will need to apply for an FSSAI State or Central License, depending on your turnover and operational scale. The process is done online via the FoSCoS portal and requires documentation like your business registration, address proof, a layout plan of your packing facility, and a list of equipment. It's advisable to work with a consultant to ensure your application is compliant.
What’s the best starter assortment for a new retail store?
A balanced assortment would be: Value Tier: Zahedi (repacked in 500g pouches). Mid Tier (High Volume): Kimia/Mazafati (in 500g-600g boxes). Premium Tier: Medjool and/or Ajwa (in attractive 250g/500g gift boxes). This covers all key price points and consumer needs.
Why do prices for the same variety vary so much between suppliers in the mandi?
Price variation for the same named variety is almost always due to differences in: 1. Grade & Count Size: A carton of large Medjools will be much more expensive than medium ones. 2. Moisture Level: Drier lots are often cheaper. 3. Freshness: New season stock commands a premium over last season's. 4. Packaging & Brand: Well-packaged, branded products have higher perceived value. Always compare apples to apples by specifying the grade and size you need.
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