Many factors, such as the species and the cultivation area, determine the price of dates. Some dates cost a lot to produce and maintain because their growth process is time-consuming and requires intensive work and special growing conditions. On the other hand, dates vary in different parts of the world. A date may be cheap in Iran or the UAE but expensive in another country.
The palm tree needs an arid climate and a water source. It has made it impossible to produce this date in other areas, and therefore it is considered an expensive date. Specific regions for planting lead to less cultivation or limited production.
The Most Expensive Dates in the World
Majdul is most expensive dates in the world. The origin of the palm tree is essential. The quality of dates decreases in coastal areas, while desert and inland areas produce good dates. The Middle East climate is one of the best for date cultivation. However, humidity levels are the most critical aspect, and low humidity is required to grow more dates wit high-quality. Different physical and chemical properties and other nutritional properties and size, color, thickness, softness, and sweetness of dates play a vital role in the price of dates.
According to the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), the shape, size, taste, quality, determines the price of dates. High demand for some varieties with limited market access, low production of some cultivars, methods, and mechanisms used in post-harvest operations such as drying and packaging, etc, are factors which also affect on the price. In addition to different nutritional properties and variety in color, thickness, softness, and sweetness, they play a vital role in increasing the price of dates.
Ajwa dates, Majdul , Dabbas, Lulu Fard, Khanayzi and, Gabri, Maktoumi are the most expensive dates grown in the UAE. However, in the international market, Ajwa, Majdol (Madhul), Deglet Noor, Sukri, and Khalas are the most expensive.
Majdool Date
According to the Abu Dhabi Farmers Service Center (ADFSC), Majdool is the most expensive date. The date is tasty due to its size and is about two inches long. This price increase has made this type of date unpopular in the UAE. Although Majdool date is grown in the UAE, most of it is exported to other countries. In the local market, each kilo costs up to 100 dirhams. This product is known as the king of dates due to having a huge fruit (size 7 cm) and a brownish-brown color.
Khalas date
The Khalas date can be eaten in half-ripe and whole stages. It is the most preferred figure among the UAE people and the price is up to 40 dirhams per kilo. It is mainly cultivated in Al-Ain and the western region [Al-Zafra].
Fard date
The Fard date is generally consumed completely. Almonds or walnuts can be added to them, which cost up to 50 dirhams per kilo, and dates alone up to 20 dirhams per kilo. This type of date is popular among tourists, and this issue raises the price of this type of date and makes it one of the most expensive dates in the world.
Boumaan date
Boumaan is a local date mainly grown in Liwa and Al Ain, UAE. This large size date is very tasty. Rutab [semi-ripe] type is very popular and costs 20 dirhams per kilo.
Dabbas dates
Dabbas in Arabic means honey date. This type of date has been cultivated mainly in Liwa for more than 300 years. It does not give good yield, quality, and size in other parts of the UAE.
Deglet Noor date
Deglet Noor is cultivated in Tunisia and Algeria and is the “Queen of Dates”. Many people worldwide consider it the most expensive date in the world. Deglat Noor is called as “amber” and popular among tourists, mainly in Saudi Arabia and other middle east countries, including the United Arab Emirates.
Ajwa date
Ajwa has been first cultivated by the Prophet Muhammad and has been widely grown in Saudi Arabia ever since. This date type is native to Saudi Arabia and commonly consumed in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries. It is very expansive.
Pyarom date
Among all types of dates in Iran, Pyaram dates are one of the best and most expensive dates for export in Iran, which is grown in the southern regions of Iran. This date is grown in Hormozgan and southern Fars provinces and is one of the best native dates in Iran.
The price of this date is much higher compared to other types of dates. For example, compared to the price of Mazafati dates, which average $ 2 in world markets, Pyarom is about $ 6, which is much higher than Mazafati. Pyarom, the most expensive export date in Iran, has this title for two reasons:
First, the fruiting period of Pyarom is longer compared to other types of dates, it is also grown on a smaller scale, and its tree is more sensitive to the weather. Secondly, Pyarom date is very similar in appearance to Majdool dates (king of dates) and this similarity has caused the high marketability of this date in the world market.
Export expensive dates to all over the world
It should be noted that Egypt is the largest producer of dates globally, after which Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq have formed this massive share of production.
It is noteworthy that the level of date cultivation is different among several countries, and even in Iran, it is higher and higher than in Egypt. But due to the use of low-yielding cultivars in Iran, it has become the second-largest producer of dates. Iranian dates are popular all over the world for various reasons. First, the taste of Iranian dates is different from dates of other Arab countries. Persian dates are softer and sweeter, and easier to store.
On the other hand, the price of the most expensive Iranian dates is much lower than the dates of other countries. That is why many countries around Iran are interested in buying dates from Iran. The highest exports of Iranian dates to Pakistan with 13.2 million dollars, Kazakhstan with 13.1 million dollars, India with 12.9 million dollars, Afghanistan and the UAE with $ 10 million.
For the past five years, various countries have sought to import dates from Africa, Iran, and the Middle East.
