Field monitoring, conducted by «Emirates Today» on a number of retailer outlets in Dubai and Sharjah, revealed that there are about 53 brands of dried fruit products of various kinds in local markets.
The field survey showed a great diversity among the sources of supplying dried fruit products, a large number of which dates back to countries, most notably: Türkiye, the United States and Iran, in addition to products that are filled in the UAE markets.
Specialists in the retail sector told «Emirates Today» that dried fruits in the month of Ramadan are witnessing a large demand, which rises to about 70% compared to normal periods, pointing out that the most dried fruit during Ramadan is concentrated in varieties: raisins, figs, apricots, peaches and pomegranate.
They emphasized that the local markets are witnessing continuous growth in the number of brands of dried fruits, in proportion to the variation of consumption habits among residents of the country.
Multiple marks
In detail, a field monitoring conducted by “Emirates Today” revealed in the outlets of the retail trade sector in Dubai and Sharjah, the presence of about 53 brands of dried fruit products of all kinds and shapes.
The monitoring showed a great diversity in these products in the local markets included: dried grapes (raisins), which is the most frequently traded in its various varieties, whether black, golden or green, in addition to other dried fruits such as peach, figs, apricots, orange, mango and apples, along with berries of all kinds, including blue wild berries, pomegranate, strawberry, kiwi, banana “Papaya”, cherries, honeypots and pineapple.
Some dried fruits are sold in a number of sales outlets mixed with types of nuts, oats, dark chocolate, or coconut chips, as a kind of healthy meals that are witnessing an increasing demand.
Dried fruit products vary between several types that are sold in bulb shapes, or in plastic or paper bags, or within metal cans, in various shapes.
The field survey showed the multiplicity of countries in the origins of dried fruit products, most notably: Turkey, Iran, the United States and South Africa, in addition to products that are filled in the UAE, while importing from countries such as Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, India, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Ghanna, China, Latvia and Costa Rica.
Ramadan request
In turn, the sales officer at one of the retailer sales outlets, Mohamed Iqbal, said: “Dried fruit is one of the goods that acquire large shares of consumer demand in the markets during the month of Ramadan, which is witnessing an increase of 70% of these products compared to normal periods.”
He added: «One of the most dried fruit products that acquire large shares in demand during the Ramadan season is dried grapes products, raisins, figs, peaches and apricots, and at some times dried pomegranate.
For his part, Dilip Fishal, the director of purchases in a retail chains, said: “Dried fruit is one of the goods that usually witness a great diversity, and grow in the number of its commercial signs in the local markets, in order to keep pace with the high demand and diversity of consumption by dealers of different nationalities.”
He added, “Ramadan is one of the most important seasons in consumer demand for dried fruits,” noting that “these products are currently witnessing growth in their sales in rates estimated at 60 and 70%, compared to the periods before the month of Ramadan.”
In the same context, the sales officer in the outlet, Nasser Asim said: “Dried grapes or raisins are one of the most dried fruits that witness an increase in demand during the month of Ramadan, followed by apricots, figs and peaches,” noting that “periods of height of rise in sales of dried fruit products are the Ramadan season, which records an increase in different rates in the demand for these products in the sales outlets.”
On the prices, he said: “The prices of these products vary according to the countries of origin and the size of the dried fruit, in addition to the drying method itself, as the prices of products that are dried naturally through sunlight, compared to other industrial methods of drying, are increased, and the prices of products that are dried up at rates that make fruit are soft, compared to those that make fruit completely dried, in addition to that organic products are higher in general.”
Vitamins and minerals
Many dried fruit products contain a number of nutrients, vitamins and important minerals, such as vitamin A and vitamin K, and also contains beneficial minerals for the human body, such as iron, magnesium and potassium.
A large number of dried fruits contain antioxidants that protect the body from many diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
Dried fruit products generally include many health benefits, as they are a source rich in fiber beneficial to the health of the body, and work to enhance bowel health and control blood sugar levels.
Its products also help reduce cholesterol levels, and can be used in diet programs and work to lose weight, especially dried types without adding sugar or low sugar sweetener.
All dried fruits contain a very low sodium, and good proportions of potassium and fiber. Sugar is traditionally dried in fruits in the form of “glucose” and “fructose”, and is considered a rich source of insoluble fiber and necessary to stimulate digestion movement, and the regulation and speed of food traffic during the intestine, as every 100 grams of raisins, for example, contains more than three grams of fiber, while every 100 grams of plum contains more than eight grams of fiber.
Brands
“Bayara”, “Gogi”, “Mawa”, “Shadid”, “Union”, “Liwa”, “First”, “Samirna”, “Sipger”, “Sun Meed”, “Boys Red Mail”, “Zeepa”, “Nattis”, “Earth Gods”, “Vita Meed”, “Nitsers Change”, “either”, “Organic” “Krish Kranchi”, “Sunny Frots”, “Super Chef”, “Bescins”, “Seoul”, “Organic Larder”, “Judnce”, “Estrin”, “Oavi Mail”, “Putinical”, “Madhur Monaca”, “Mand Fall”, “Gorimier Classic”, “Ocean Spri”, “Northaral Drey” Food, “Uranfit”, “Aeroz”, “Cecles Farm”, “Kerlegius”, “Lulu”, “Habi Village”, “Bear”, “Los Bings”, “Renault”, “Organal Food”, “Organic Corner”, “Copy”, “Union”, “TG Jarden”, “Al -Rifai”, “Mona” “Al -Douri”, “Majidi”, “Sharakoub”.
• 53 brands of dried fruit products in the local market.
