The dry fruit market at Begum Bazaar is bustling with customers buying dates
Representational image (Photo: PTI)
Hyderabad: The dry fruit market at Begum Bazaar is bustling with customers buying dates. The trade of dates in the city skyrockets during Ramzan with sales during this month alone expected to be worth more than Rs 500 crore in the city.
More than 35 varieties and brands of dates from Dubai, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Algeria, and even Tunisia have already reached the city. However, taxes and duties make dates more expensive than other fruits, traders from Begum Bazaar say.
For Muslims, it’s Sunnah (prophet Muhammad’s practice) to break the fast with dates. “It’s Sunnah to use dates to break our fast. In fact, dates are the most healthy dry fruits, enriched with dietary fibre and carbohydrates which energise the body after several hours of hunger,” said Mohammed Tayyib, an Islamic studies scholar.
Traders say that Hyderabad tops in sales of dates compared to anywhere else in South India. Several hundreds of tonnes of dates have reached the city. Apart from Begum Bazaar, new wholesale shops for dates have opened up in different parts of the city, especially at Malakpet.
One can get good quality dates for Rs 60 to Rs 200. The most expensive dates, which are imported from Madina and used for medicinal purposes, are priced at Rs 1,800 per Kg. “The most sought after dates are Zahidi, which is the cheapest one. Several tonnes are sold in Hyderabad every day. Other good dates like Ajwa, Iranian Kabkab, Mazafati, and Hayani also have high demand,” said owner of Kashmir House, Rajkumar Tandon.
During Ramzan, shops selling dates are open every day of the week. One trader said shops are open from 9 am till midnight. Mr Rajkumar said 5 per cent VAT is applicable on dates aside from duty.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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