Key facts
- India imported US$937 million of dates in FY2024-25 (ximpex.in).
- Sourced from 5 origin countries: AE, IQ, SA, TN, EG.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000, BRCGS Food Safety and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' (reefer for soft dates) per variety for bulk; mixed premium lots from ~1–2 t (typical).
Product overview
India is one of the world's largest date importers: about US$937 mn in CY2024 (Comtrade-derived via ximpex, tier 7; FY value unavailable). The UAE and Iraq are the largest suppliers, followed by Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iran, Egypt and Oman. Demand peaks in Ramadan and the Indian festive and wedding season, when dates are bought for gifting.
The trade has three segments: mass-market soft dates packed in bulk cartons for wholesale markets; premium varieties (Medjool, Ajwa, Sukkari, Mabroom) in retail and gift boxes; and processed forms — pitted dates, paste and syrup — for bakery, confectionery, health-snack and ice-cream makers.
The GCC origin fits the trading house's corridor (research file rating 4/5). Success depends on cold-chain handling for soft varieties, consistent grading and FSSAI-compliant labelling for retail packs.
HS note: Date paste and pitted/processed dates may fall under 2008 (prepared) and date syrup under 1702/2106 depending on composition. Dry dates (chhuara) are also 0804.10.
Specifications
| Moisture | Soft dates ~20–30%; semi-dry ~15–20% (typical) |
|---|---|
| Count / size | Graded by pieces per kg or size class (e.g. Medjool Jumbo/Large/Medium) (typical) |
| Defects | Limits on infestation, mould, damaged/unripe fruit per buyer spec / Codex Standard for Dates (typical) |
| Treatment | Fumigated or heat/cold treated for insects before shipment (typical) |
| Storage | Soft dates chilled ~0–5 °C; semi-dry ambient-cool (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Bulk wholesale
Soft dates in 5–10 kg cartons or pressed blocks for traditional trade.
Premium retail / gifting
Medjool, Ajwa, Sukkari, Mabroom in 250 g–1 kg boxes.
Ingredient
Pitted dates, date paste and syrup for food manufacturers.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 5–10 kg cartons; pressed blocks; 20 kg cartons for paste (typical) | Pre-packaged retail packs need FSSAI and Legal Metrology labels |
| Retail | 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg boxes and pouches (typical) | Can be packed at origin with Indian-compliant labels |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP ~18–22 t in cartons (reefer for soft dates) (typical) · 40' HC ~24–26 t (typical). Reefer at ~0–5 °C for soft varieties; ambient for semi-dry
Customisation: Retail packs under importer brand; pitted, stuffed and paste formats; Ramadan gift packs
Where Indian buyers are
Main Indian demand centres we distribute to.
Maharashtra
Mumbai (Vashi APMC), Pune
Largest port-linked wholesale market and modern-trade buyers
Gujarat
Ahmedabad, Mundra/Kandla (Kutch)
West-coast port of entry; wholesale and ingredient buyers
Delhi
Delhi (Khari Baoli)
North-India dry-fruit wholesale hub
Kerala
Kozhikode, Kochi
Strong Gulf-linked consumption and Ramadan demand
Uttar Pradesh / Telangana
Lucknow, Hyderabad
Large Ramadan and festive consumption centres
Sourcing origins
AE
Al Ain, Liwa, Dubai (Jebel Ali)
Largest supplier; packers and re-exporters of Gulf and Iraqi dates; very short transit to Indian west-coast ports.
IQ
Basra, Karbala
Major source of mass-market Zahidi and Sayer dates, often traded via UAE packers.
SA
Buraydah (Al Qassim), Al Ahsa, Madinah
Premium Sukkari, Ajwa, Mabroom and Khalas; ~US$24 mn exports to India CY2024 (research file).
TN
Tozeur, Kebili
Deglet Nour on the branch and pitted; ~US$11 mn to India CY2024 (research file).
EG
Siwa, Aswan
Low-cost semi-dry and soft dates; large producer with growing exports.
Origin market notes
Gulf (GCC)
UAE packers aggregate Gulf and Iraqi dates and offer short transit (~3–5 days to Mundra/Nhava Sheva, ASSUMPTION); Saudi Arabia supplies premium varieties. Prices move with the harvest (Aug–Oct) and Ramadan demand.
Africa
Tunisia (Deglet Nour) and Egypt offer alternatives with different taste and price points; transit is longer via Suez/Red Sea, which has been disrupted (check routing).
Other markets
Iran supplies Mazafati/Kimia and other dates, but US sanctions limit banking channels (Reuters via MarineLink, Aug 2026); only use established, compliant payment routes.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
As of 2026-11: dates are 'Free' to import; the importer needs an FSSAI Central licence and an FSSAI NOC through FICS for each consignment, and retail packs must meet FSS labelling and Legal Metrology rules. A phytosanitary certificate from the origin is required, and plant-quarantine clearance applies under the PQ Order 2003 (confirm import-permit requirement for your form). Check the duty for your origin on ICEGATE; any FTA preference needs a valid certificate of origin. Sources: https://fics.fssai.gov.in; https://ppqs.gov.in; research/06-compliance-logistics.md.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment inspection for infestation, moisture and grade
- • Lab report on moisture, aflatoxin and pesticides
- • Fumigation certificate
- • FSSAI label check before shipping retail packs
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • Lab analysis report (aflatoxin, moisture, pesticide residues)
- • FSSAI import NOC (obtained in India via FICS)
- • Fumigation/treatment certificate
- • Health certificate from origin authority
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India importsLine: Dates | 937 | verified | ximpex.in |
Comtrade-derived (ximpex) USD 937 mn CY2024 (CY2023 USD 860 mn); FY value unavailable
Import routes
Frequently asked questions
What is required to import dates into India?
An IEC, an FSSAI Central licence, FSSAI clearance on FICS for each consignment, a phytosanitary certificate from the origin country, and FSSAI and Legal Metrology-compliant labels on retail packs.
Which countries supply most dates to India?
The UAE and Iraq are the largest suppliers, followed by Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iran, Egypt and Oman.
Do soft dates need refrigerated containers?
Soft, high-moisture varieties are usually shipped in reefers at around 0–5 °C to prevent fermentation and insects; semi-dry varieties can ship ambient.
Can dates be packed at origin under an Indian brand?
Yes. GCC packers can pack retail boxes with your brand, provided the labels carry the Indian importer's details, FSSAI logo and licence number, and Legal Metrology declarations.
When is peak demand for dates in India?
Around Ramadan and during the festive and wedding season, when dates are bought for gifting and religious observance.
Request a quote for Dates (Khalas, Sukkari, Medjool, Zahidi, Deglet Nour)
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