Iranian date varieties: a buyer's guide to Mazafati, Piarom, Sayer, Zahedi and more

Where Iranian dates grow and when they are harvested

Date palms grow in Iran's hot southern and south-eastern provinces: Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khuzestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr and Fars. Each province is known for particular varieties, and the same variety from different areas can differ in size and moisture.

The harvest usually runs from August to October, depending on variety and region. Early varieties such as Mazafati and Rabbi are usually picked from August, and later varieties such as Sayer, Zahedi and Kabkab from September into October. New-crop dates for export are usually available from September onward after sorting and packing.

The six-digit HS code for fresh or dried dates is 0804.10; check the full code with your customs broker. Processed products such as date paste and date syrup are classified differently.

Soft, semi-dry and dry dates

Traders group dates by texture, which follows moisture. Soft dates have the highest moisture, a tender skin and a short ambient shelf life, and they need cold storage. Semi-dry dates have medium moisture and firmer flesh and keep longer. Dry dates have the lowest moisture, are firm and keep longest at ambient temperature.

Moisture is a contract parameter, not only a description. Ask the supplier to state a moisture range for the lot, because too much moisture leads to fermentation and mould, and too little makes the fruit hard.

Texture also drives freight and storage cost. Soft dates need an unbroken cold chain from the packer's store to your warehouse, and any break shows quickly as fermentation or fruit sticking together. Dry dates tolerate long voyages and ordinary warehouses, which suits distant markets and buyers who stock for a whole season.

The main export varieties

The table summarises the varieties importers ask for most often. Texture and use are typical; individual lots vary with region, season and handling.

Mazafati (Bam dates)

Mazafati is the best-known Iranian table date. It is soft, sweet and moist, with a dark, almost black colour and thin skin. Because of its high moisture it must be kept chilled through packing, storage and transport; it is usually shipped in a refrigerated container.

Mazafati is usually sold in consumer boxes, commonly between about 500 g and 1 kg, and in bulk cartons of around 5 to 10 kg. Ask for the size grading, the storage temperature at the packer and the date of packing.

On arrival, check the container's temperature record if one is available, and look for condensation inside the boxes, fruit stuck together or a fermented smell. These usually mean the cold chain broke at some point, and should be documented with photos before you confirm receipt.

Piarom, Rabbi and Kabkab

Piarom is a semi-dry, elongated date with a thin, often partly separated skin and a caramel-like taste. It keeps better than Mazafati and is positioned as a premium date, sold in retail boxes and gift packs. Larger and more uniform fruit commands a higher price.

Rabbi, from Sistan and Baluchestan, is a semi-dry, dark, elongated date used as a table date. Kabkab, from Bushehr and Fars, is large, soft to semi-soft and syrupy; it is eaten fresh and also used for paste and syrup.

Sayer (Estamaran) and Zahedi for bulk and processing

Sayer, also called Estamaran, is a semi-dry date from Khuzestan and one of the varieties traded in the largest volumes. It is sold whole, pitted, and as paste and syrup for bakeries and food manufacturers. It is usually packed in 10 kg cartons or in bulk for industry.

Zahedi is a dry, golden date that tolerates ambient storage well. It is used for bulk trade, processing and markets where long storage without refrigeration matters. It is usually packed in cartons or bulk bags.

Moisture, shelf life and storage

Shelf life depends on variety, moisture, packing and temperature. Ask the supplier for the stated shelf life of the exact product and confirm it with your own storage plan. The table gives the usual pattern.

Packaging options

• Consumer boxes and trays, commonly 500 g to 1 kg, often with cellophane or a printed sleeve
• Bulk cartons of about 5 kg or 10 kg with food-grade liners
• Pitted dates in vacuum or modified-atmosphere packs
• Date paste in blocks for bakeries and food industry
• Private-label packs with your own brand and label language, usually against a higher minimum order

Quality points to put in your contract

• Variety, crop year and region of origin
• Size grade or count per kg, and tolerance for undersized fruit
• Moisture range
• Maximum share of defects: broken, insect-damaged, sour, mouldy or skin-separated fruit
• Pesticide residue and microbiological limits that apply in your market, with a lab report
• Packing date, storage temperature and best-before date
• Phytosanitary certificate and certificate of origin

Buying Iranian dates on ASL Market

Browse date listings at /buy/iranian-dates-supplier or /categories/asl_agriculture_food, or post a buying request at /post-request with the variety, grade, moisture, packaging and quantity. Ask suppliers in chat for photos of the current lot, the packing date and whether they ship in reefer containers.

The supplier confirms price, quantity, freight, Incoterm and ship-by date. You pay in USDT, and ASL Market holds the payment until you confirm receipt, so you can check moisture and defects on arrival; see /trade-assurance. Import rules differ by country; check your own country's rules on trade with Iran before you order.

FAQ

What is the most famous Iranian date?

Mazafati, also called Bam date, is the best-known Iranian table date. It is soft, dark and sweet and grows mainly around Bam and Jiroft in Kerman province. It needs cold storage and is usually shipped in reefer containers.

What is the difference between Mazafati and Piarom?

Mazafati is a soft, high-moisture date that must be kept chilled. Piarom is a semi-dry, elongated date from Hormozgan with a thin skin and a longer shelf life. Piarom is usually positioned as a premium gift date.

Which Iranian date is best for processing?

Sayer (Estamaran) and Zahedi are the varieties most used for paste, syrup and bulk processing. Sayer is semi-dry and Zahedi is dry, so both handle storage and processing well.

Do Iranian dates need a refrigerated container?

Soft dates such as Mazafati do. Semi-dry dates are often shipped in reefers in hot months, while dry dates such as Zahedi usually travel in dry containers. Agree the container type in the order.

When are Iranian dates harvested?

Usually from August to October. Early varieties such as Mazafati and Rabbi come first, and Sayer, Zahedi and Kabkab follow from September into October.

What is the HS code for dates?

The six-digit HS code for fresh or dried dates is 0804.10. Check the full national code with your customs broker, because date paste and syrup are classified under other headings.