According to some estimates by market dealers and growers, 60% of the crop was affected in the second week of July, when the crop was ready fo harvesting. The rains normally come by the end of August, when harvesting is over. The rains continued for around 4 days, damaging the quality of otherwise healthy dates.
Around 60% of the crop has been damaged as it was fully ripe when it rained.
The mid-July rains were untimely as that was the ideal time for harvest. We were not able to do the picking,” said orchard owner from Khairpur.
But he was confident that prices would shoot up after two months given the higher demand and lesser supplies, though only a few farmers would be in a position to take advantage of this situation.
Meanwhile, the rains and then the post-rain climate have increased the farmers’ expenses. The processing of dates, which normally takes a week, has been extended to 12 days. The growers are engaging laborer’s for extra time to take care of the dates during the drying process and then keep them covered during the night to avoid dew, which increases moisture.
If you have any import related enquiry please do write us on kaleem@khairpurfoods.com cc: raheem@khairpurfoods.com
Regards,
Kaleem Abbasi
Managing Director
Khairpur Foods International
