Srinagar, Kashmir

As the Muslim community across the world is observing the holy month of Ramadan, the favourite food to break the fast remains dates. Markets across Kashmir witnessed business of over $12 million during the month of Ramadan alone. It also became one of the most sold food items during this month.

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While the demand for dates during the month of Ramadan across the Kashmir Valley is huge, dealers have brought over a dozen varieties of dates this time. People are thronging the markets specially for buying dates and some dealers are already out of stock.

With dates worth over $360K sold per day during the month of Ramadan, the dealers are sure that this year the date business will break all the previous market records.

''Ramadan is a blessed month for us. Dates are very pious for us as our prophet used to have them. This month people buy a lot of dates. We all break our fast during the month of Ramadan with dates. We have sold so much in this Ramadan that our supplies are finished. We have a huge variety of dates in the market. Very nice season this Ramadan." said Irfan Ahmad, a dates dealer.

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In the holy month, there are various foods whose sales go up drastically including dates. There are various types of dates which are sold here, imported from various countries for the Ramadan. The Ajwa, Mabroom, Kalmi, Sudayi, Sukhri, Amber and Merjol are the types that are sold in the market.

''In the month of Ramadan, we have brought multiple types of dates. The people buy dates in huge quantities during the month of Ramadan. Kalmi, Medjoul and Amber and Ajwa are available with us. We break our fast with dates. Around 90 per cent of people break the fast during the month of Ramadan with dates. We get a lot of customers from across the Valley and this year we have had a huge market,'' said Sajad Ahmad, a dates dealer.

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Several other foods are also made specially for Iftar, a time to break the fast. Phirni, Halwa, fruits custard, and Sewaiyan are sold in every area of the valley. But dates still remain a must in every household.

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''This is a blessed month of Ramadan. There is a huge demand for dates in the market and this time they have sold like anything. We have so many types of dates available in the market. We are getting dates from Jordan. People are buying in huge quantities and now they want different types for its benefits. Mabroom and Kalmi and Medjoul are favourites among Kashmiris," said Mehraj Uddin, a dates dealer.

Dates are said to have multiple health benefits for the people fasting.