Consumers stocking up on dates, juices with onset of Ramadan

AMMAN –– Dates, ingredients for homemade sweets, vegetables and juice are usually the most popular items among consumers ahead of Ramadan, according to homeowners and breadwinners. 

Ramadan, which begins on Sunday, starts the day after the sighting of the crescent moon.

Sales of food items usually soar ahead of the fasting month, as consumers stock up on basic commodities and other items specific to Ramadan.

But Samir Halawani, who has three daughters, said he usually does not stock up on items in preparation for the holy month.

“I only purchase what my family needs per day because we can buy what we want from a nearby mall or grocery,” he told The Jordan Times as he picked out tomatoes at a store in Amman.  

Abu Mohammad, another customer, said he likes to prepare two days ahead of the holy month because he fears that prices will rise.

“I also like to prepare early because I want to focus on praying during Ramadan.”

Abu Mohammad added that he likes to buy several kinds of juice because they are the most essential item in the fasting month, while Halawani said dates are his family’s favourite item. 

“It is the fruit of Ramadan,” he added. 

Muslims traditionally break their fast at sunset with dates or a cup of water, based on the Sunna, Prophet Mohammad’s sayings and actions.

Halawani said he also buys a variety of juices, because his children like to drink them during iftar, when they break their fast, and afterwards at night. 

Although there are several kinds of traditional Ramadan sweets, Halawani’s favourite is qatayef.  

Qatayef, exclusively associated with Ramadan, are pancakes made with a yeast-risen batter, which are cooked on one side before being folded around cheese or a nut mixture, then typically deep-fried or baked, and soaked in sugar syrup. 

“For my family, qatayef are a must during Ramadan,” he said, describing it as a special month because it gathers all family members at one place to have iftar. 

“During other days, it is rare to see them all together because of their jobs,” Halawani added. 

Um Ahmad, an Egyptian, said although she is preparing for the fasting month, she does not feel the Ramadan atmosphere because she is away from her family. 

“For me, this Ramadan is not special because I miss my family back home.”

Despite the pre-Ramadan shopping surge, storekeepers in downtown Amman voiced pessimism over their business prospects during the fasting month.  

Omar Srour, who owns a grocery, said the growing number of shopping centres in the capital has had a negative impact on business.

“People like going to malls because they have several promotions,” he told The Jordan Times as he waited for clients.

Tawfiq Soud, a vegetable and fruit vendor, noted that customers are few and far between in downtown Amman because of the lack of parking lots.

Abdul Mutalib Roud attributed the low number of visitors to the hot weather. 

“People like to come in the evening because it is cooler,” the pickle seller said.

But some vendors are hoping that sales will improve.

Srour said his store will be open between 7am and 1am during Ramadan. 

“For me, Ramadan is always peak season. The first and last days of the month are when our business booms. Let’s wait and see.”