Looking for a healthy, home-grown alternative to sugary spreads, an Omani entrepreneur has repackaged one of the ubiquitous fruits around – dates.

Ali Mansoor al Sulaimi, from the wilayat of Izki, founded Tumirat, an Omani startup to produce a variety of date spreads and products. 

Sulaimi said he got the idea to start the business after he found people eating unhealthy food.

“I started searching for healthy and suitable food from date. I found a way to make date spread at home and then produce it commercially,” he said.

The Industrial Innovation Centre initially helped the startup by providing necessary advice and direction.

Talking about his product, Sulaimi said, “We choose the best types of dates to produce natural and healthy date spread free of oils, sweeteners and sugar, which is safe for you and your family. Tumirat is the perfect choice of date spread.”

Sulaimi said Tumirat meets the requirements of those keen on healthy living. 

“We hope it will contribute to spreading awareness on healthy eating. The demand for natural and healthy food is increasing in the sultanate. Many of the hypermarkets have special sections for health food.”

“Tumirat has come a long way to reach the current product quality and gain customers’ satisfaction and trust. We have diversified from one product to five delicious and premium products.

“There were a lot of challenges in production, marketing and project management. My family supported and stood by me all the way. We have built a small unit in my home and a brand that we are proud of.”

Of future, he said, “I submitted a request to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion to obtain a patent for my product. I will receive the certificate soon. The Omani product needs logistical support to compete at regional and international levels. I aspire to find a distribution network all over the sultanate. I also aspire to see Omani date products in most international markets. I thank the Industrial Innovation Centre for supporting me financially and technically.”