Entering Ramadan, the sales turnover of Kurma (dates) at Jatinegara Market, East Jakarta, has crept up by around 50 to 75 percent than normal days.

Alhamdulillah (thank God), this year, there are more buyers than last year.

As experience by Elawati (48), one of the date seller at the market. He stated, since a week before Ramadan, many consumers were hunting for this typical fruit from the Middle East. Predictably, sales would continue to increase until Idul Fitri.

"Usually, until the end of the fast or the week before Idul Fitri, many people are still shopping for dates," she said, Thursday (3/14).

According to her, the consumer are not only for breaking the fast and sahur at home, but some are for souvenirs to the village or to give to the mosque or prayer room.

The same experience was also felt by another seller, Dwi (51) at the Jatinegara Market. After Covid-19, buyers had increased quite significantly.

"Alhamdulillah (thank God), this year, there are more buyers than last year. Because the economy has been returning to normal," she explained.

At his stall, he sells various types of dates such as Madinah Dates, Sukari Dates, Tangkai Madu Dates, Nabi Dates, Medjool Palestina Dates, and Mesir Dates. Each has different characteristics, shape, taste, and price.

Of the many types of dates, the favorite and most sought after by consumers are Sukari Dates and Golden Valey Dates.

"Maybe, because the price is standard and the taste is delicious, suitable for the Indonesian palate," she admitted while smiling.

The price for Sukari Dates is sold at Rp 60,000 per kg and Golden Valey Dates at Rp 50,000 per kg.

"I will give you a discount if you buy more than five kg," she stated.

Batu Ampar Resident, Kramat Jati, Rahmat (49) admitted every Ramadan and before Idul Fitri, he always bought dates at this market because the prices were cheaper than in other places.

"We often shop here because the dates are good, delicious, and the prices are affordable," he said.