Rs 500 per kg dates
The historic Lyari area of Karachi has a historic date market which has been around for centuries. The brightness can be seen in this market as soon as Ramadan starts. At the time of Ramadan, when the fast begins, at that time and when it is opened after sunset, only dates are eaten. This time the prices of dates are very high. Mohammad Ishaq, who deals in dates, has told Arab News that this time everything has become expensive and it was natural for the price of dates to increase.
Dates, which were sold at Rs 350 per kg last year, are being sold at Rs 500 per kg this time. This time their sales have also reduced considerably as compared to the year 2022. According to Mohammad Ishaq, the ban on imports is spoiling everything. Also, the local crops were completely destroyed in the floods in September. According to the Dates Market Association, this time the buyers of dates have also reduced a lot.
flooded crop
Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves are decreasing day by day. To keep it safe from the government, strict restrictions were imposed on the import of certain things. Dry fruits and fresh fruits were also kept in the ban since May last year. After some time these restrictions were lifted but even then to no avail.
The goods could not arrive at the right time from the foreign markets from where dates were exported to Pakistan. Due to this the prices have increased. Pakistan imports dates from Iraq, but due to non-availability of dollars, they could not be paid for. In such a situation, the problems increased on the occasion of Ramzan.
Largest producer, yet in trouble
Pakistan is the largest producer of this fruit. Every year five lakh metric tonnes of dates are produced in the country. But in September 2022, the devastating flood ruined the entire crop. The local crop was completely destroyed in the flood. Baluchistan and Sindh were hit the most by this calamity. Dates are mostly cultivated in these provinces. The flood first destroyed the date palm crop in Sindh province.