The sale of date palms and all other dry fruits have been affected adversely in the Northeast this Ramazan because of the nationwide lockdown to contain Covid-19.

An estimated 600 tonnes date palms are sold during Ramazan in the region.

It is sold from Rs 100 to Rs 250 per kilogram in wholesale rate .

“Due to the prevailing situation, the supply of date palms and all other dry fruits has reduced to half in comparison with the last year. It reaches in the region from Mumbai and Gujarat. Lack of transportation resources and labourers have caused the downfall of the business up to 60 per cent. Generally, it is bought in wholesale two months before and are kept in cold store but this year it could not be done,” Mewa Lal, a dry fruits wholesaler, said.

Dates do not come under essential fruits list, so special permission is required for its transportation from the administration.

But even after getting permission, labourers were not available to load or unload them.

It’s not just wholesalers like Lal who are unable to purchase fruits because of the lockdown, the retailers too are facing problems to bring in the fruits up to their selling counters.

As a result, whatever is available is fly off the counters even at high rates this Ramazan.

India imports date palms from Iraq , Iran, UAE , Algeria, Malaysia and Israel.

Firdaus Ahmad, a rozedar (one who fasts during Ramadan) here, said, “There is no work, but the expenses are mounting. Prices have risen too this year. I bought 500kg date palms for Rs 200 from the local market. Inshallah! this Ramazan is more fasting than feasting.”

The followers of Islam consider date palms and their fruits as sacred. The Quran mention dates 23 times. Dates are a staple on iftar tables. Prophet Muhammad used to break his fast with a few fresh or dried dates.

Siddiqui brothers who sell dry fruit in the towns in Arunachal Pradesh, said, “The mosques are wearing a deserted look. Business is destroyed. The people are staying at home and following their rituals. Those who turn to our shop buy a very little quantity of fruits as most of them are facing financial crunch. Coronavirus has cast a shadow over the festive spirit and has brought along with it a sense of gloom, especially for those like us who used to make annual earnings at this time of the year.”

However, the government machineries are ensuring that prices of essential commodities stay stable or reach people easily.