Premium Dried Dates for International Markets
Dates are naturally sweet fruits of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), valued worldwide as a nutritious food, natural sweetener, snack ingredient, and versatile raw material for food processing.
CEEMOF supplies quality dates for importers, wholesalers, supermarkets, food processors, distributors, retailers, bakeries, confectionery businesses, hospitality companies, and other international buyers.
Our dates can be supplied as whole fruits or in processed forms, depending on buyer requirements, product variety, packaging specifications, and destination-market standards.
What Are Dates?
Dates are the edible fruits of the date palm. They are harvested at different stages of maturity and may be consumed fresh, semi-dried, or fully dried.
Dried dates are particularly popular in international food markets because they have:
- Natural sweetness
- A soft or chewy texture depending on variety
- Good keeping qualities when properly processed and stored
- Versatile culinary applications
- Convenient packaging and transportation characteristics
Dates are consumed directly as snacks and are also incorporated into a wide range of food products.
Nutritional Profile of Dates
Dates are naturally rich in carbohydrates, primarily in the form of naturally occurring sugars.
They also provide dietary fibre and contain various minerals and naturally occurring plant compounds.
Typical nutritional components include:
- Carbohydrates
- Dietary fibre
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Copper
- Manganese
- Small amounts of protein
- Naturally occurring antioxidants and other plant compounds
Nutritional composition varies according to variety, maturity, processing, and storage conditions.
Popular Date Varieties
Different international markets prefer different varieties of dates.
Common commercial varieties include:
Medjool
Large, soft, caramel-like dates with a rich flavour. Medjool dates are widely marketed as a premium table-date variety.
Deglet Noor
A medium-sized date with a firmer texture and relatively mild sweetness. It is commonly used for both direct consumption and food processing.
Ajwa
A smaller, dark-coloured variety with a soft texture and distinctive flavour.
Sukkari
Known for its characteristic sweetness and soft-to-firm texture depending on maturity and processing.
Khudri
A dark brown date commonly used as both a snack and food ingredient.
Safawi
A dark, soft date with a rich flavour.
Mabroom
A relatively firm, elongated variety with a distinctive texture.
The availability of particular varieties depends on the sourcing market and buyer requirements.
Forms of Dates We Supply
Whole Dates
Whole dates supplied with the pit intact.
Suitable for:
- Retail
- Wholesale
- Supermarkets
- Snack distribution
- Hospitality
Pitted Dates
Dates with the pits removed.
Pitted dates are particularly convenient for:
- Food manufacturers
- Bakeries
- Confectionery producers
- Snack manufacturers
- Ingredient processors
Chopped Dates
Dates cut into smaller pieces for incorporation into food products.
Suitable for:
- Cereals
- Granola
- Bakery products
- Snack bars
- Desserts
- Confectionery
Date Paste
Dates processed into a smooth or semi-smooth paste.
Date paste is commonly used as an ingredient in:
- Bakery products
- Energy bars
- Biscuits
- Confectionery
- Desserts
- Natural sweetener formulations
Date Syrup
Dates can also be processed into syrup for use as a sweetening ingredient in food and beverage applications.
Uses of Dates
1. Direct Consumption
Dates are widely consumed as a ready-to-eat snack.
They can be eaten alone or combined with:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Chocolate
- Dairy products
- Cereals
- Other dried fruits
2. Baking
Dates are widely used in:
- Cakes
- Bread
- Cookies
- Muffins
- Pastries
- Date loaves
- Dessert products
3. Snack Manufacturing
Dates are used in the production of:
- Energy bars
- Fruit bars
- Nut-and-date snacks
- Stuffed dates
- Healthy snack combinations
4. Confectionery
Dates can be incorporated into sweets, chocolates, fillings, and other confectionery products.
5. Breakfast Products
Chopped dates can be added to:
- Cereals
- Granola
- Oatmeal
- Porridge
- Muesli
6. Food Processing
Food manufacturers use dates and date derivatives as ingredients in a wide range of processed foods.
7. Natural Sweetening
Date paste and date syrup can serve as ingredients in products where manufacturers want to incorporate date-derived sweetness.
Key Product Characteristics
Quality dates intended for international markets should generally have:
- Good colour appropriate to the variety
- Characteristic date flavour
- Pleasant aroma
- Appropriate texture
- Good maturity
- Minimal physical damage
- Low levels of foreign matter
- Appropriate moisture content
- No visible mould
- No insect infestation
- No abnormal fermentation
- Clean and hygienic packaging
Specific requirements vary considerably between varieties and destination markets.
Export Quality Specifications
The following are examples of parameters that international buyers may specify:
| Parameter | Typical Buyer Requirement |
|---|---|
| Product | Dried Dates |
| Botanical Name | Phoenix dactylifera |
| Form | Whole / Pitted / Chopped / Paste |
| Variety | Buyer-Specified |
| Colour | Characteristic of variety |
| Texture | Soft / Semi-Dry / Firm, depending on variety |
| Taste | Naturally sweet, characteristic flavour |
| Moisture | Buyer- and variety-dependent |
| Foreign Matter | Minimal / as agreed |
| Insect Damage | Minimal or absent |
| Mould | Absent |
| Fermentation | Absent |
| Odour | Characteristic, free from abnormal odours |
| Packaging | Retail, bulk or customized |
| Inspection | Available where required |
Dates do not have one universal moisture specification because different varieties and commercial forms naturally have different moisture levels. Final specifications should therefore be agreed with the buyer before shipment.
Quality Control
CEEMOF emphasizes quality control throughout the sourcing and preparation process.
Product Selection
Dates are selected according to:
- Variety
- Size
- Maturity
- Appearance
- Texture
- Intended application
Sorting
Products are sorted to remove unsuitable fruits and foreign materials.
Cleaning
Dates are handled and prepared under appropriate hygienic conditions.
Grading
Dates can be graded according to:
- Size
- Weight
- Variety
- Appearance
- Quality class
Inspection
Finished products can be inspected for:
- Insect damage
- Mould
- Excessive bruising
- Foreign matter
- Fermentation
- Abnormal odour
- Packaging condition
Laboratory Testing
Where required, testing may be arranged for parameters relevant to the buyer and destination market, including microbiological and chemical safety requirements.
Food Safety Considerations
Food safety is particularly important for dried fruit exports.
Depending on the destination and buyer requirements, dates may need to meet requirements concerning:
- Microbiological safety
- Pesticide residues
- Heavy metals
- Mycotoxins where applicable
- Foreign matter
- Hygiene
- Packaging materials
- Labelling
- Traceability
The specific requirements depend on the importing country and intended application.
Packaging Options
CEEMOF can supply dates in packaging designed for both retail and bulk distribution.
Retail Packaging
Possible formats include:
- 250 g
- 500 g
- 1 kg
- Other buyer-specified retail sizes
Wholesale Packaging
Larger packs may include:
- 2 kg
- 5 kg
- 10 kg
- 20 kg
- 25 kg
Bulk Packaging
Larger commercial packaging can be arranged for industrial processors and high-volume importers.
Customized Packaging
Private-label buyers can request customized packaging featuring:
- Brand name
- Logo
- Product variety
- Net weight
- Ingredients
- Nutrition information where required
- Batch or lot number
- Production information
- Best-before date
- Storage instructions
- Barcode
- Importer information
Storage Requirements
Dates should be stored under conditions that protect them from excessive heat, moisture, pests, contamination, and direct sunlight.
Recommended storage considerations include:
- Cool, clean storage
- Dry conditions where appropriate
- Protection from pests
- Protection from excessive humidity
- Properly sealed packaging
- Good warehouse hygiene
- Avoidance of strong odours
Some date varieties and forms may require refrigerated or temperature-controlled storage for optimal quality and extended shelf life.
Shelf Life
The shelf life of dates depends on:
- Variety
- Moisture level
- Processing
- Packaging
- Storage temperature
- Humidity
- Handling
- Whether the dates are whole or processed
Properly packaged dried dates can have a relatively long commercial shelf life, but the exact shelf-life declaration should be established from the specific product and storage conditions rather than assumed universally.
Dates for Food Manufacturers
CEEMOF can supply dates as ingredients for manufacturers producing:
- Energy bars
- Granola
- Cereals
- Biscuits
- Cakes
- Bread
- Confectionery
- Fruit snacks
- Natural sweetener products
- Desserts
- Nut-and-fruit products
Pitted, chopped, paste, and syrup forms can be particularly useful for industrial food processing.
Dates for Retail & Supermarkets
Retail-ready dates can be prepared for:
- Supermarkets
- Grocery stores
- Specialty food shops
- Health-food retailers
- Online food retailers
- Wholesale distributors
Retail packaging can be customized according to the buyer’s branding and destination-market requirements.
Dates for Hospitality
Hotels, restaurants, catering companies, and food-service businesses can use dates for:
- Breakfast buffets
- Desserts
- Baking
- Snack platters
- Beverage preparation
- Catering
- Traditional and specialty cuisines
Target International Buyers
CEEMOF can supply dates to:
- Date importers
- Dried-fruit wholesalers
- Supermarket chains
- Food distributors
- Food manufacturers
- Bakeries
- Confectionery companies
- Snack manufacturers
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Catering companies
- Specialty food retailers
- Private-label brands
- Commodity traders
Buyer-Specific Specifications
International buyers can specify their preferred requirements, including:
- Date variety
- Whole or pitted
- Size
- Weight per fruit
- Moisture
- Texture
- Colour
- Grade
- Packaging
- Retail or bulk format
- Private labelling
- Shelf-life requirement
- Laboratory testing
- Inspection requirements
This enables CEEMOF to structure supply around the buyer’s intended market and application.
Private-Label Dates
CEEMOF can explore private-label supply for distributors and food businesses.
A private-label programme may include:
- Buyer-selected date variety
- Customized packaging
- Brand identity
- Retail pack sizes
- Product labelling
- Barcode
- Batch identification
- Buyer-specific quality requirements
Private-label arrangements are particularly suitable for supermarkets, specialty food companies, wholesalers, and established food brands.
Export Documentation
Depending on the destination and transaction, documentation may include:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Certificate of Origin
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
- Certificate of Analysis where required
- Health or food-safety documentation where applicable
- Phytosanitary documentation where applicable
- Fumigation documentation where applicable
- Other destination-specific documents
The exact documentation package should be confirmed with the buyer and relevant authorities before shipment.
HS Code Classification
Dates are generally classified under HS heading 0804, which covers dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, whether fresh or dried.
The precise tariff subheading depends on the product form and the customs tariff applied by the destination country.
Importers should confirm the final tariff classification with their customs broker or relevant customs authority before shipment.
Why Choose CEEMOF for Dates?
CEEMOF combines agricultural sourcing capabilities with international trading experience and established relationships with overseas commercial partners.
Our focus is on providing:
Quality Products
Dates sourced and prepared according to agreed specifications.
Flexible Supply
Whole, pitted, chopped, paste, or other buyer-specific forms where available.
Customized Packaging
Retail, wholesale, bulk, and private-label packaging options.
Professional Communication
Clear communication from product inquiry through shipment.
Quality Documentation
Appropriate commercial and product documentation according to transaction requirements.
International Supply
Products prepared for importers, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, and other international buyers.
Long-Term Relationships
We seek to develop recurring commercial relationships with buyers rather than focus solely on individual transactions.
Conclusion
Dates are a versatile and internationally traded food product with applications ranging from direct consumption to industrial food processing.
Their natural sweetness, fibre content, distinctive flavour, and flexibility as a food ingredient make them suitable for retail, wholesale, bakery, confectionery, snack, hospitality, and food-manufacturing markets.
CEEMOF is available to supply quality dates according to buyer requirements, including variety, grade, size, whole or pitted form, packaging, private labelling, quality specifications, and shipment requirements.
Dates Export — CEEMOF
Product: Dried Dates
Botanical Name: Phoenix dactylifera
Forms: Whole / Pitted / Chopped / Paste / Other Buyer-Specified Forms
Applications: Snacks, Baking, Confectionery, Food Processing, Hospitality and Retail
Packaging: Retail, Wholesale, Bulk or Customized
Supply: Commercial and Bulk Orders
Quality: Buyer-Specified and Market-Dependent
Documentation: Available according to transaction and destination requirements
CEEMOF NIGERIA LTD
Reliable Sourcing. Quality Products. International Partnerships.