Damascus-SANA
The Qamar al-Din industry, which is eaten mostly as a drink and sometimes as a dessert, has spread in other countries, but the Syrian Qamar al-Din, which is made in Damascus, has spread.
Its countryside is still the best, as a variety of apricot trees grow in Syria, which are most suitable for the Qamar al-Din industry, according to the head of the Qamardin and Foodstuff Association Bilal al-Zubaybi.
In a statement to SANA reporter, Al-Zubaybi explained that Qamar al-Din is an ancient heritage craft that Ghouta Damascus was famous for due to the availability of the raw material for its industry represented by the cultivation of apricots of a distinctive type, the appropriate temperature and humidity that does not exceed 15 percent, and its distance from mountainous areas and dust.
Al-Zubaybi said: Based on the economic and heritage importance of this industry, a handicraft association was established several months ago for manufacturers of qamardine and foodstuffs. Oil and gas at the subsidized price, and training courses can be held in the coming periods for those interested.
Al-Zubaybi indicated that work is underway to start granting a certificate to exporters to market products externally after ensuring that the product conforms to the Syrian standard specifications, pointing out that the majority of production is destined for export to increase the demand for it during the holy month of Ramadan.
About the stages of the manufacturing process, Al-Zubaybi explained, it begins by separating the seeds from the apricot kernels, squeezing them, then filtering the juice in stages and placing it in large metal pots.
After mixing it with sugar and then melting it in the evaporator, it is transferred in batches to spread on oiled wooden tambours under the sun for 5 days.
For their part, the craftsmen working in the manufacture of Qamar El-Din demand the necessity of securing all their fuel needs in a timely manner, given that the apricot crop is rapidly perishable, which contributes to increasing production and reducing its costs.
In turn, Ammar al-Shalt, director of the Chamber of Agriculture in Damascus and its countryside, said that the Qamar al-Din industry has spread in neighboring countries, and Damascus and its countryside have maintained their position and fame. Despite the decline in the apricot crop and the high manufacturing costs, Qamar al-Din is still finding its way to export abroad, noting that 5200 tons of Qamar al-Din were exported. Abroad, worth about $5.7 million, mostly to Arab and Islamic countries.
Amjad Sabbagh
SANA Economic Bulletin
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