Delayed arrivals put pressure on the Christmas date market
The weeks leading up to Christmas are becoming an important commercial period for dates in Europe. As consumer awareness grows, the fruit is increasingly sold as a premium snack, a seasonal gift and an addition to festive food selections.
However, the 2026 season has presented challenges for buyers sourcing Medjool dates from established Middle Eastern origins.
In an interview published by FreshPlaza on 27 October 2026, Mohammed Alamoodi, CEO of Daktyli.pl, reported significant delays in arrivals from Palestine, Jordan and Israel. The disruption came at a critical time, when importers would normally be preparing stock for the Christmas sales period.