How to start a date business for Ramadan 2027
A practical plan for first-time date resellers in Malaysia — which varieties to stock, how much to buy, when to order and how to store it before Ramadan 2027.
Dates are the one product almost every Malaysian household buys before Ramadan. That makes them a natural first product for a reseller, a kedai runcit adding a seasonal line, or anyone selling online. Here is how to plan it so you sell out instead of sitting on stock after Raya.
1. Know when the season actually starts
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around Monday 8 February 2027, with Hari Raya Aidilfitri around Wednesday 10 March 2027. The exact dates depend on the official moon sighting. Most buying happens in the three to four weeks before the first day of puasa, so your stock needs to be in hand by mid-January. See the full Ramadan 2027 stock plan for the month-by-month timeline.
2. Pick varieties for the customers you have
You don't need every variety. Start with two or three:
- An everyday date for family buying and iftar — usually a soft, affordable variety such as Sukkari or a mixed pack.
- A premium Madinah date for buyers who ask for it by name — Ajwa is the one most people search for.
- A gift-ready pack if you sell hampers or to companies — Medjool and boxed Safawi work well.
Not sure how they differ? The date guide compares size, texture, sweetness and origin side by side.
3. Buy in cartons, not pallets, the first year
For a first season, order a mix of cartons across your chosen varieties instead of a large volume of one. Ask your supplier:
- what each carton holds (pack size and packs per carton),
- the production and expiry dates on the stock you will receive,
- whether you can top up mid-season if a variety sells out.
4. Decide how you will sell
- Ready-packed retail packs are the simplest: you resell the pack as it is, with the importer's label.
- Repacking bulk dates into your own smaller packs gives better margins but means you are responsible for the label. Check the current labelling rules under Malaysia's Food Regulations 1985 before you repack.
- Online (marketplace, WhatsApp, social): photograph the real pack, state the variety, origin and weight clearly — buyers search by variety name.
5. Store it properly
Dates keep well if they stay cool and dry. Keep cartons raised off the floor, away from sunlight and heat, and close opened packs tightly. Softer varieties last longer in a chiller. Our storage notes cover each type.
6. Order early
Popular varieties and pack sizes can run short close to Ramadan. Lock in your order and delivery date early — ideally by December.
Ready to plan your first order? Ask our trade desk for the Ramadan 2027 wholesale price list. We supply dates and food brands to retailers and resellers across Malaysia.