Date
The fruit of the date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, harvested from oasis and river valley plantations across North Africa, the Gulf and the Middle East and cured to a stable moisture. Dates sell as whole fruit for the table and the retail pack, as pitted fruit and paste for bakery, confectionery, energy bar and cereal manufacture, as chopped and diced fruit for industrial blending, and as syrup and concentrate for sweetening. Demand carries a heavy seasonal peak into Ramadan, which pulls forward the whole shipping calendar. Cultivar is the first term in the trade: the variety determines the texture, the sugar form, the size and the price band, and a contract that names only "dates" has named nothing.
Listed date markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Dates are contracted on cultivar and ripening stage first, then on a named size or count grade, then on moisture and defect limits verified on a drawn sample.
Cultivar and ripening stage
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| CultivarNamed on the contract | Medjool, Deglet Nour, Barhi, Khalas, Sukkari, Ajwa, Zahidi, Mazafati, Piarom, Safawi, Amber, Sayer, Halawi, Thoory and others. Each is a separate article with a separate price. |
| Khalal stagePicked firm and coloured, before softening | Crisp and high moisture. A fresh trade, not a dried one. |
| Rutab stagePicked part ripened, softening from the tip | Soft, high moisture, short shelf life, usually chilled or frozen. |
| Tamar stageFully ripened and cured to a low moisture | The dried date of the international trade. Stable at ambient temperature. |
| Soft, semi dry or dry classificationDetermined by the cultivar and the final moisture | Soft dates carry invert sugar and stay pliable. Dry dates carry sucrose and harden. This governs the moisture limit that can sensibly be contracted. |
| Crop yearDeclared | Priced. Old crop and new crop are separate markets, and the changeover moves the whole curve. |
Product form and preparation
11 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Whole with pitStone in place | The traditional table article. |
| PittedStone mechanically or manually removed | Manual pitting damages the fruit less and costs more. The route is declared. |
| Diced or choppedCut to a stated dice size, coated with rice flour, oat flour or dextrose to stop it caking | The coating is declared with the material and the percentage. |
| PasteMilled pitted fruit to a stated particle size and moisture | Sold on moisture and soluble solids, and on the absence of pit fragments. |
| Syrup or concentrateExtracted and evaporated to stated soluble solids | Sold on degrees Brix and colour. |
| Stuffed or filledFilled with a named nut or paste | A separate article with its own allergen declaration. |
| Branch or stem packedFruit left on the strand | A presentation term with its own packing specification. |
| HydratedSteam or water treated to raise the moisture to a stated level | Softens hard fruit. Must be declared, because it changes both weight and stability. |
| Fumigated or heat treatedDeclared route, with the treatment record | Applied against infestation. Destination markets differ on what they permit. |
| OrganicCertified under the destination market scheme, with dedicated drying and packing lines | Named on the contract with the certifier and certificate number. |
| Consumer or industrial packDeclared, with the unit format | Industrial bulk and retail pack are separate products with separate specifications, not the same fruit in different boxes. |
Size and count
5 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Count per kilogramNumber of fruit in one kilogram | The controlling size term for whole dates. |
| Named size gradeJumbo, large, medium, small, each tied to a stated count range or a minimum piece weight | The name is shorthand for a count. The contract carries the count. |
| Weight per fruitGrams, minimum and average | Contracted for premium cultivars sold by the piece. |
| LengthMillimetres, minimum | Used for the long cultivars where presentation drives the price. |
| Dice sizeMillimetres, nominal, with a percentage within tolerance | Applies to chopped and diced product. |
Quality and condition
15 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Total soluble solidsDegrees Brix | The sugar loading. Contracted for paste, syrup and concentrate. |
| Sugar formInvert sugar to sucrose ratio | Determines whether the fruit stays soft or hardens and crystallises in store. |
| TextureFirmness by penetrometer at a stated temperature | Measured, because soft and semi dry are traded as different articles. |
| Skin separation and puffinessMaximum percentage by count | The most common cosmetic downgrade in soft cultivars. |
| Pit fragmentsMaximum count in a stated sample mass | Applies to pitted, diced and paste product. A physical hazard term, not a cosmetic one. |
| Moisture contentMaximum percentage by mass, by the stated method | The controlling commercial figure. It sets the weight, the shelf life and the mould risk all at once. |
| Water activityMaximum, measured at a stated temperature | The figure that actually governs microbial stability. Moisture alone will not tell you whether a lot is safe to hold. |
| UniformityPercentage of the sample within the contracted size and colour range | Measured on the drawn sample. |
| ColourAgainst a sealed reference sample, or an instrumental scale where one is contracted | Measured, not described. |
| Damaged and blemished unitsMaximum percentage by count or by mass | Mechanical damage, scarring, sunburn and discolouration, counted separately from decay. |
| Decay, mould and fermentationMaximum percentage by count or by mass | A zero tolerance term in most contracts, with a small allowance stated. |
| Insect damage and live infestationMaximum percentage by count, live insects nil | Determined by inspection of a drawn sample. Live infestation rejects a lot outright. |
| Foreign and extraneous matterMaximum percentage by mass | Stems, stones, leaves, sand, wood and any plant material other than the named fruit. |
| Pieces of the wrong formMaximum percentage by mass | Halves in a whole lot, broken pieces in a halves lot, and so on. Priced, because it is the most common quiet downgrade. |
| Sugaring and crystallisationMaximum percentage of units showing surface sugar | Cosmetic, but it is priced, and it moves with storage temperature rather than with the original quality. |
Contaminants and food safety
10 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Live insects and insect fragmentsNil live, with a fragment count limit in the stated sample | Dates carry a persistent storage pest risk. The treatment record travels with the lot. |
| AflatoxinsMicrograms per kilogram, B1 and total | Tested against the destination market limit. The single most common cause of rejection in dried fruit. |
| Ochratoxin AMicrograms per kilogram | Tested against the destination market limit. |
| Sulphur dioxideMilligrams per kilogram | Measured whether or not the lot is declared sulphured, because carryover happens on shared lines. A declared allergen in most destination markets. |
| Pesticide residuesMilligrams per kilogram | Tested against destination market maximum residue limits. Dried fruit concentrates residues along with everything else, so the limit is applied to the dried product. |
| Heavy metalsMilligrams per kilogram | Lead, cadmium and arsenic. |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsMicrograms per kilogram, benzo(a)pyrene and the sum of four | Comes from direct fire drying and smoke contact at origin. |
| MicrobiologyCounts per gram, with salmonella absence in the stated sample mass | Total plate count, yeasts, moulds, E. coli and salmonella. |
| Metal detection and X-rayDeclared detection thresholds for ferrous, non ferrous and stainless | Applied on the packing line and evidenced on the certificate. |
| IrradiationDeclared, treated or untreated | Destination markets differ on what they permit and on how it must be labelled. |
Certification and packing claims
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| OrganicCertificate under the destination market scheme | EU, NOP, JAS or an equivalence arrangement, named with the certifier and certificate number. |
| Fairtrade or equivalentCertificate and transaction certificate | Named scheme, with the transaction certificate issued for the specific lot. |
| Kosher and HalalCertificate from the named authority | Certificate travels with the lot. |
| Food safety schemeBRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000 or an equivalent, named with the site | The packing site is named on the contract, not just the supplier. |
| Non GMODeclaration | Applies where the crop has a genetically modified counterpart. |
| PackingDeclared: carton, bag in box, vacuum, modified atmosphere or bulk bin, with the liner and net weight | Liner and atmosphere are contract terms, because they decide the moisture and the water activity on arrival rather than on shipment. |
| Storage and transit temperatureDeclared, with the range and the monitoring method | Sugaring, colour drift and moisture migration are all temperature effects. Where the contract is silent, the argument at destination is unwinnable. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Al Qassim, Madinah and Al Ahsa | Origin and destination |
| Egypt | Nile valley, New Valley and Siwa | Origin and destination |
| Iran | Khuzestan, Bushehr, Kerman and Sistan | Origin and destination |
| Algeria | Biskra and the Ziban oases | Origin and destination |
| Iraq | Basra and the Shatt al Arab | Origin and destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Al Ain and Liwa, and Dubai as the regional redistribution hub | Origin and destination |
| Tunisia | Kebili, Tozeur and the Djerid oases | Origin and destination |
| Oman | Batinah and the interior | Origin and destination |
| Pakistan | Sindh and Balochistan | Origin and destination |
| Sudan | Northern State and the Nile | Origin and destination |
| Libya | Fezzan and the coastal oases | Origin and destination |
| Morocco | Draa and Tafilalet valleys | Origin and destination |
| Israel | Jordan valley and the Arava | Origin and destination |
| Jordan | Jordan valley and the Dead Sea basin | Origin and destination |
| Palestine | Jericho and the Jordan valley | Origin and destination |
| United States | Coachella valley, California, and Arizona | Origin and destination |
| Mexico | Baja California and Sonora | Origin and destination |
| South Africa | Northern Cape | Origin and destination |
| Namibia | Naute and the southern river valleys | Origin and destination |
| Turkiye | Mersin and the southern coast | Origin and destination |
| India | Mumbai and Kandla | Destination |
| Bangladesh | Chattogram | Destination |
| Indonesia | Jakarta and Surabaya | Destination |
| Malaysia | Port Klang | Destination |
| United Kingdom | London and Felixstowe | Destination |
| France | Marseille and Le Havre | Destination |
| Germany | Hamburg | Destination |
| Netherlands | Rotterdam | Destination |
| Spain | Valencia and Algeciras | Destination |
| Italy | Genoa | Destination |
| Canada | Montreal and Vancouver | Destination |
| Australia | Sydney and Melbourne | Destination |
| China | Shanghai and Guangzhou | Destination |
| Russia | Novorossiysk and Moscow | Destination |
| Nigeria | Lagos and Kano | Destination |
| Kenya | Mombasa | Destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the crop is taken at origin. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is processing, grading and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Oct, arrival Oct to FebAl Qassim, Madinah and Al Ahsa. Ajwa, Sukkari, Khalas and Safawi. The Ramadan calendar governs the shipping peak more than the harvest does. | |||||
| Egypt | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Oct, arrival Oct to JanThe largest volume origin, with a broad range from soft Nile valley fruit to semi dry and dry cultivars. | ||||||
| Iran | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Oct, arrival Oct to FebKhuzestan, Bushehr, Kerman and Sistan. Mazafati, Piarom, Sayer, Zahidi and Kabkab. | |||||
| Algeria | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Sep to Nov, arrival Nov to FebBiskra and the Ziban oases. Deglet Nour, branch packed and loose. | ||||||
| Iraq | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Oct, arrival Oct to JanBasra and the Shatt al Arab. Zahidi, Khadrawi and Halawi. | ||||||
| Tunisia | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Oct to Nov, arrival Nov to MarKebili and Tozeur. Deglet Nour, and the reference origin for branch packed presentation. | ||||||
| United Arab Emirates | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jul to Sep, arrival Sep to DecAl Ain and Liwa for the crop, Dubai for redistribution of Gulf and Iranian fruit. | ||||||
| Oman | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jul to Sep, arrival Sep to DecBatinah and the interior. Khalas and Fardh. | ||||||
| Pakistan | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jul to Sep, arrival Sep to DecSindh and Balochistan. Aseel and Begum Jangi, much of it sun cured. | ||||||
| United States | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Sep to Nov, arrival Nov to MarCoachella valley. Medjool and Deglet Nour, the reference origin for large calibre Medjool. | |||||
| Israel | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Aug to Oct, arrival Oct to FebJordan valley and the Arava. Medjool and Barhi. | |||||
| South Africa | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Feb to Apr, arrival Apr to JulNorthern Cape. Southern hemisphere Medjool, landing in the northern hemisphere gap. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for date. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading0804.10 Dates, fresh or dried
- PackingCartons of 5 kg to 12.5 kg or PP bags of 10 kg to 25 kg with food grade liner. Sulphur dioxide treatment, sorbate treatment and any added oil must be declared on the specification and the label.
- Container loading20ft: 12 t to 18 t. 40ft is normally volume limited. Chilled stow for high moisture grades such as soft prunes and semi dried figs.
- Contract and arbitrationINC and Dried Fruit and Edible Nut trade standards, European trade on the trade contract with arbitration in London, United States trade on Association of Food Industries contracts.
- Destination limitsEU sulphur dioxide limits under Regulation 1333/2008 with mandatory declaration above 10 mg/kg, ochratoxin A limits on dried vine fruit and aflatoxin limits on dried figs under Regulation 2023/915, and pesticide MRLs under Regulation 396/2005. US FDA requires sulphite declaration.
Common questions
What grades of date does SIP Global trade?
We quote 54 published grades of date, including Cultivar - Named on the contract, Khalal stage - Picked firm and coloured, before softening, Rutab stage - Picked part ripened, softening from the tip, Tamar stage - Fully ripened and cured to a low moisture, Soft, semi dry or dry classification - Determined by the cultivar and the final moisture and Crop year - Declared. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is date graded?
Dates are contracted on cultivar and ripening stage first, then on a named size or count grade, then on moisture and defect limits verified on a drawn sample. Grading runs on 6 systems: Cultivar and ripening stage, Product form and preparation, Size and count, Quality and condition, Contaminants and food safety and Certification and packing claims.
Where does SIP Global trade date?
We trade date in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Algeria, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia and Oman and 28 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is date harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Saudi Arabia: harvest aug to oct, arrival oct to feb; Egypt: harvest aug to oct, arrival oct to jan; Iran: harvest aug to oct, arrival oct to feb; Algeria: harvest sep to nov, arrival nov to feb; Iraq: harvest aug to oct, arrival oct to jan. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for date?
Date is normally classified under HS 0804.10 (dates, fresh or dried). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for date?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 2 listed date markets are published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- Codex AlimentariusFAO and WHO food standards
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.