Date prices take off before Ramadan

Commercial activity began in Eminönü just a few days before the start of Ramadan.

Traders claimed that dates, which are essential for iftar tables, arrived late on the market due to the fire in the port of Iskenderun and their price increased, and that the density in the bazaar was lower than expected due to the earthquake.

Trader İbrahim Özbey said: “The pistachio was damaged. Since Gaziantep was also affected by the earthquake, we cannot find peanuts at this time. Since Malatya was affected by the earthquake, the weight of the apricot was 230 lire. Jerusalem dates are currently at 160 lire. After the fire in the port of Iskenderun, we cannot find dates, ”he said.

‘WE CANNOT FIND THE DATE AFTER THE FIRE IN THE PORT’

İbrahim Özbey, a trader from Eminönü, said: “Date prices increased after the earthquake. Damaged pistachio. Since Gaziantep was also affected by the earthquake, we cannot find peanuts at this time. Since Malatya was affected by the earthquake, the weight of the apricot was 230 lire. Jerusalem dates are currently at 160 lire. We cannot find dates after the fire in the port of Iskenderun. We have to sell the dates we have at this price, if there were more dates available, the prices would be more affordable. Before the earthquake, dates cost 130 lira,” he said.

“AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE”

Stating that there was calm after the earthquake, Ali Çağan said: “Right now, people are not coming out of fear. Eminonu is no longer what it used to be. After the earthquake, these places were left empty, ”he said.

Emin Ibrahim said: “The date for Ramadan is preferred. Apricots and blueberries are also preferred. Jerusalem dates cost 160 lire, Medina dates 220 lire. There is cheap and there is expensive. Tourists don’t come because of the earthquake,” he said.

50 LIRA IN ONE MONTH

Stating that the density is better than in Ramadan, Ahmet Kaplan said, “It changes depending on the condition of the dates. The most suitable starts at 120 and goes up to 300 lire. Dates, which cost 250 lira a month ago, are now 300 lira. The density is good compared to Ramadan, yesterday it was full. “It’s not a bit heavy because of the rain,” he said.

Yüksel Güler, who came for the Ramadan shopping, said: “If you order normal, the prices have skyrocketed. I bought some cheese, aged cheddar. I’ll have bacon if I can. I bought cheese and aged cheddar in molds, one for 200 lira and the other for 135 lira. Normal for average prices. The prices here are more affordable. If I pay 7 and a half lira for a simit, these prices are normal, ”he said.

Yaşar Kaş said: “Date prices are between 180 and 240, it is expensive if I need to gain at least one kilo.” (DHA)