Prized Khalas Dates Hit Bahrain Markets

TDT | Manama

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Prized date variety khalas has hit Bahrain’s markets at BD2.5 a kilogramme, kicking off the short season for one of the country’s most sought-after summer fruits.

The first batches are being sold beside khunaizi dates at BD2 a kilogramme and ghurra at BD1, with traders expecting prices to ease as crops grow and supplies rise through August.

Khalas dates tend to appear after the first week of July and reach their peak the following month. Their arrival marks the next step in Bahrain’s date season, as each kind ripens in turn rather than all at once.

Across the market, fruit stalls are heavy with watermelon, peaches, apricots, cherries, melons and mangoes. Sales have risen as shoppers seek cold, water-rich fruit during the summer heat.

Watermelon still rules the trade.

Sayed Jaffar Salman, owner of Al Sada fruit and vegetable stall, said it remained the first choice for Bahraini shoppers, with Jordanian fruit drawing the strongest sales. Omani and, at times, Yemeni watermelons are also on sale.

Standard fruit costs about BD1 for five kilogrammes, while top-grade watermelon sells at three kilogrammes for BD1.

Mr Salman said flat peaches, white peaches, Syrian cherries and melons were also selling well.

Yellow watermelon, once in high demand, has faded from many shop fronts. Traders had brought in large stocks, but buyers later swung back to the red kind, which Mr Salman said was sweeter and better in quality.

Peaches, apricots and cherries start at BD1 a kilogramme, while bananas cost about BD2.5. Egyptian mangoes are also widely sold.

Jordanian, Syrian and Omani watermelons are available at about three kilogrammes for BD1, with watermelon and melon leading summer sales.

Seller Habib Al Baqali said shops were carrying apricots, peaches, cherries, nectarines and mangoes from India, Pakistan, Egypt and Bahrain.

Traders now expect date prices to fall as the harvest grows, while watermelon keeps its crown as Bahrain’s favourite summer fruit.