Date prices have witnessed an increase in Ras al-Ain, northwest of al-Hasakah, which has reduced their presence as a staple food on the tables of fasting individuals during the month of Ramadan that began on March 11 of the current year.
In the Ras al-Ain area, date prices range from 19,000 Syrian pounds per kilogram for the lowest quality, to 80,000 pounds per kilogram for the top quality types, considered high considering the daily wages in Ras al-Ain range between 30,000 and 40,000 Syrian pounds (approximately two and a half dollars).
The US dollar is equivalent to 14,450 Syrian pounds, and 33 Turkish liras.
Quantity reduction
In the past month of Ramadan, Firas Ahmad used to stock up on 15 kilograms of high-quality dates, at a price of 23,000 Syrian pounds per kilogram for the excellent quality, but he reduced the amount this Ramadan to six kilograms, and of average quality, due to the rise in prices.
For her part, Marwa al-Ragheb, a teacher, said that her income does not suffice for providing the basic necessities, considering bad quality dates as an obligatory option.
She explained that her salary, which amounts to 2,850 Turkish lira, does not enable her to afford the costs of buying high-quality dates, forcing her to buy the exposed dates offered on stalls, considered to be “date remnants and of bad quality.”
She mentioned that this type of dates sometimes contains small insects, necessitating that they be opened and thoroughly washed before consumption, and in some cases, they may cause health problems such as diarrhea or intestinal cramps.
Ras al-Ain residents economize on dates due to high prices – March 13, 2024 (Enab Baladi)
Doubled prices
Compared to 2023, date prices were lower, the price per kilogram of excellent quality dates called “al-Asfour” was 35,000 Syrian pounds, while the good quality one close to excellent imported from Iraq was 30,000 pounds per kilogram.
The price of average quality ranged between 20,000 and 23,000 Syrian pounds per kilogram, while the lower quality dates were priced at 6,000 pounds per kilogram.
Ras al-Ain residents economize on dates due to high prices – March 13, 2024 (Enab Baladi)
Transportation costs increase prices
Mohammed, a store owner in Ras al-Ain, explained to Enab Baladi that the purchasing activity this year has decreased compared to previous years, as some customers cannot afford to buy an entire kilogram and buy smaller quantities instead.
He added that the cost of transportation from Turkey to the Tel Abyad border crossing, then to Ras al-Ain city, increased the costs by 30% on a five-kilogram box of dates.
He noted that the currently available dates originate from Iran, the UAE, Qatar, or Iraq, and are sold at different prices according to their quality. The Emirati dates are considered among the best and most expensive, with the price per kilogram of excellent quality reaching 80,000 Syrian pounds.
Ras al-Ain principally relies on a single sector, agriculture, which limits job opportunities and the availability of varied jobs for residents. Moreover, the weak infrastructure and services, along with the limited area capacity to attract investments, have all contributed to weakening the buying power of the population.
The Syrian pound is the currency in circulation in the area, but its fluctuating reality and unprecedented decline have burdened the locals. The second currency is the Turkish lira (not widely circulated) due to the city’s proximity to the Turkish border, and the third is the US dollar.