Saudi dates popular in UK

Muslim communities in the United Kingdom purchase large quantities of Saudi dates during Ramadan. Supermarkets display different varieties of dates to meet the requirements of customers. Non-Muslims also purchase dates after learning its health benefits.
Saudi Ambassador to the UK Prince Muhammad bin Nawaf said his embassy provides all facilities for the import of high quality dates to the country from Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia is a major exporter of dates to Europe,” said the ambassador, adding that the Saudi Embassy in London extends all support to both Saudi exporters and British importers to promote trade exchange.
“The amount of dates imported to the UK doubles during Ramadan,” he said. Sara Abdul Aziz, executive director of a British company that imports Saudi dates, said her company has been importing dates from Saudi Arabia, particularly from Madinah, for the last 20 years.
“Saudi dates are known for their high quality,” she said. Many British Muslims acquire the taste of Saudi dates during their visits to the Kingdom for Haj and Umrah. She said her company alone imports 900 tons of dates during Ramadan.
Nabeel Shaaban, another importer, said many Muslims, especially those of Asian origin look for Saudi dates at shops in London and other British markets during Ramadan. “We have started importing dates from Saudi Arabia in the middle of 1990s. At that time the quantity we imported was small. During Ramadan we import about 400 tons,” he said.