Moroccan Markets Offer Diverse Date Selection as Ramadan Approaches

Despite the rise in food prices this year, Moroccans will not deprive themselves of dates during the month of Ramadan, which should start this week. At the Derb Mila market in Casablanca, "Majhoul" dates remain the most sought-after variety due to their quality and taste. Several other varieties of dates such as Boussakry, Boufkouss, Jihel, Bousstehmi, Tarzawa, El Aziza and Kholt are also offered to the market’s customers, say merchants to M24 (MAP).

The supply is very abundant and the prices vary according to the quality and variety of the dates, explains Mohcen El Alaoui, a merchant of dates and dried fruits in this market, assuring that the price remains affordable and within reach of all budgets. Majhoul is sold for about 130 Dh/kg for the large size and between 75 and 80 dh for the small size, while other national varieties of dates are sold between 25 and 50 Dh/kg, he said, noting that the drought that has hit Morocco in recent years has affected the production of local dates.

The prices of Moroccan dates have increased by 30% over a year, estimates for his part, Youssef Chamli, also a merchant in Derb Mila, citing as an example the Jihl variety whose price ranged between 10 and 35 Dh/kg last year, compared to 25 to 50 Dh/kg this year. Yet some merchants are not complaining. This is the case of Abdelkrim Belkassab who assures that the level of attendance of his customers has not decreased due to the loyalty of the latter who only supply themselves from him.

Several users of the market claim to have a preference for Moroccan dates because of their particular taste, while a minority prefer dates from Arab countries. The date is an essential product during the month of Ramadan. According to nutrition experts, it is very rich in phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and antioxidants, and has an excellent content of carbohydrates and dietary fiber.