Deglet Nour Grades Explained: Extra, Cat 1, Cat 2, Premium, Semi-dry and Dry

Buying guide · 28 September 2026 · Sudattes export team

When you buy Tunisian Deglet Nour, you will see two kinds of classification: quality categories such as Extra, Cat 1 and Cat 2, and texture types such as premium, semi-dry and dry. Here is what they mean and how to choose.

Quality categories: Extra, Cat 1 and Cat 2

Quality categories describe the appearance and uniformity of the dates. The higher the category, the more uniform the fruit and the fewer visible defects are allowed.

• Extra (A): the highest category, with the most uniform appearance. Best for premium retail packs and gifting.
• Category 1 (B): very good quality with minor, limited defects. A strong choice for retail and food service.
• Category 2 (C): sound dates with more tolerance for visual defects. Well suited to food processing, bakery and ingredients, where appearance matters less.

We offer pitted dates in Extra, Cat 1 and Cat 2, and processed dates in Cat 1 and Cat 2. Exact tolerances for each category are given in our product specifications.

Texture types: premium, semi-dry and dry

Deglet Nour is naturally a semi-dry date, but texture varies with the harvest and the tree. Dates are therefore sorted by texture:

• Premium: soft, translucent, golden dates, the classic image of Deglet Nour.
• Semi-dry: slightly firmer flesh, still pleasant to eat as they are.
• Dry: firmer dates, often used for processing.

Our branched dates and standard dates (vrac) are available in all three types.

Which grade should you choose?

• Premium retail and gifting: branched dates or Extra grade, premium texture.
• Everyday retail and food service: Cat 1 standard, processed or pitted dates.
• Bakery, confectionery and industry: Cat 2 pitted dates, or our date ingredients: date paste, chopped dates and date powder.

Not sure which grade fits your market? Tell us about your project and we will recommend the right product and packaging.