The cheapest fix in a downturn is often the packaging line, not the price
Mazafati is a soft, moist date — it doesn't hold up the way a drier variety like Deglet Noor does, so it usually ships in vacuum-sealed pouches or tighter tubs instead of an open box. That packaging is a real cost, and it's one of the first places worth checking before touching price when sales slow.
Start with pack size against actual sell-through. A 5kg catering pouch that only moves once a month is tying up packaging spend and shelf space for a sale that isn't coming often. Smaller, faster-turning packs — even at a slightly higher per-kg packaging cost — usually beat a big pack that sits and eventually needs to be re-sealed or marked down because moisture got to it.
Spoilage markdowns cost more than the packaging you tried to save on
Because Mazafati holds more moisture than a dry variety, a pack that sits too long in a warm store or van gets soft edges or a sugared surface — not spoiled exactly, but no longer sellable at full price. That forced discount usually costs more than paying for a slightly better seal or a smaller box size upfront. Track how much stock gets marked down for texture reasons each month; if it's a meaningful number, the packaging spec is the thing to fix, not the retail price.
Second-tier or reject-grade Mazafati that doesn't meet the retail pack standard shouldn't be thrown out — it still has a use as a lower-priced bulk or catering option, which recovers some margin instead of writing the batch off entirely. Keep that grade clearly labeled and priced separately so it doesn't get mixed into the premium line.
Review the packaging supplier contract itself too. Vacuum-seal film and tubs are usually bought in bulk on a standing order; if order volume has dropped, the standing order might be sized for a demand level that no longer matches, and it's worth renegotiating the batch size rather than absorbing unused stock.
For more on how the variety itself behaves, see local gems and imported delights in Malaysian kurma and how Medjool pricing compares. Questions about current pack sizes or bulk pricing — contact us.