GEORGE TOWN: The fasting month is fast approaching and it is a well-known tradition for Muslims to break their fast with dates, popularly known as kurma.
It is no surprise, then, that the demand for dates during the fasting month, which begins next week, has surged.
This year home-grown company Yusuf Taiyoob Sdn Bhd, the country’s leading importer and distributor of dates, will supply some 5,000 tonnes of dates of various varieties to meet the demand. Among the popular varieties are the Safiya, Waseem and Safina.
The company's founder Datuk Seri Yusuf Taiyoob said about 80 per cent of the stocks were for the local market while another 20 per cent would be exported overseas.
"Just like past years, the demand for our kurma is on the upward trend, and we believe we can meet these demands.
"Although there is competition our customers already know the quality of dates we supply and continue to support us," he said when met at the presentation of Ehya' Ramadan aid to mosques and suraus in the state by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow here today.
Chow presented a cheque for RM240,000 to state Islamic Religious Department director Zulkifli Long, to be distributed to 231 mosques and suraus.
Present were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman and State Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor.
At the event, Yusuf contributed a total of RM84,000 in cash and 200 cartons of dates, a practice dating back to almost two decades.
Elaborating, Yusuf said between 500 and 600 tonnes of the stocks would be the sought-after Safiya variety, which was imported from Tunisia.
Besides Tunisia, the dates are also imported from Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Egypt, among others.
He added that the prices were similar to that of previous years despite the implementation of the Sales and Services Tax (SST).
Meanwhile, state Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin said state Health Department officers would be conducting spot checks at all Pasar Ramadan when they begin operations next week.
"Our concern is the safety of the food prepared so as to ensure the health of the patrons," he added.