The dates market in Pakistan offers a diverse range of types, varieties, and related products. Within each type of date, several varieties are available in the Pakistani market, each with its unique flavor and texture.
Pakistan exports dates to 30 countries, with the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Turkey, the USA, Australia, and Bangladesh being the major importers. In addition to the export of raw dates, value-added products such as syrup, powder, sweets, energy bars, and biscuits are also produced from dates.
There are over 250 varieties of dates grown in Pakistan on a cultivable area of more than 76,900 hectares, including:
Aseel, Shakri, Bhedir, Kharbala’en, Thothar, and Fasli in Sindh
Begum Jungi, Shakri, Muzawati, Zahidi, Alini, Sabzo, Ape-Dandan, hussaini, Chapshuk, and Kahraba in Balochistan
Dhakki, Azadi, Gulistan, Muscat, and Shakri in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Hillavi, Khudrawi, Shamran, Zahidi, and Ziri in Punjab
Aseel is considered an excellent variety among all Pakistani dates in the international dates market.
The best quality Aseel dates of Pakistan, both fresh and dried, are produced by GNS Pakistan, a leading dates company in Pakistan. They are exporters, processors, bulk suppliers, wholesale dealers, and international traders dealing in FAQ GAQ Industrial High A B C Grade Fresh Dry Wet Pitted Diced Chopped Processed Aseel Begum Jangi BJ Organic Dates.
Here are province-wise details of the main varieties:
Sindh Province:
Aseel or Asil dates are a superior quality variety mainly produced in Khairpur and Sukkur. They are reddish-brown with more flesh and have a long shelf life. They have a sweet taste and are enriched with energy value.
Fasli dates are produced in Sukkur, Khairpur, and adjoining areas. They are mainly categorized as industrial grade dates due to their size, shape, shorter shelf life, and other characteristics.
Balochistan Province:
Begum Jangi (BJ) dates are the premier quality variety in Balochistan. They are identical in look and shape to Aseel but are smaller in size with a lower level of moisture content. They are produced in district Panjgoor and Turbat.
Khahraba (Carba) dates are smaller in size but sweeter and have lower moisture levels. They are produced in Panjgoor and Mushkay areas of Balochistan Province from September 22 to October 31.
Rabbi or Baluchistan Rabbi (BR) dates are also grown in Mashkail area of Balochistan.
Punjab Province:
Halawi dates are produced in Muzaffargarh, D.G Khan, and Jhang districts. They are sweet, sticky, semi-soft, and moist, higher on the sweetness scale than many other dates, with a caramel color and undertone.
Zahidi dates are also from dates growing areas of Punjab, being semi-dry and less intense than some varieties but still on the sweet side.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province:
Dhakki dates from Dera Ismail Khan have a specific market due to their unique taste and size.
The most popular varieties include Aseel of Khairpur Sindh, Begum Jangi of Balochistan, and Dhakki of Dera Ismail Khan.
Dates are available in different shapes, including round, oval, and elongated, and the shape can impact the fruit’s texture and taste.
Pakistani dates market offers a variety of dates and dates-related products, including pitted dates, diced dates, dry dates, date paste, and date powder. The price of dates in Pakistan varies depending on the type, variety, and quality of the fruit. Dates are generally more expensive during the peak season, which is from September to November.
Pakistan is a net exporter of dates, with the country earning millions of dollars from date exports each year. There are many suppliers of dates in Pakistan, ranging from small-scale farmers to large-scale exporters. GNS Pakistan is one of the major exporters of dates in Pakistan, being an accredited supplier with a wide customer base.
