Dates market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Algerian dates market volume remained stable, fluctuating between 1 008 and 1 016 thousand tonnes. This period saw a gradual rise in production, accompanied by growing export activity. However, the export share remained limited, around 3% of output, which prevented a sharper increase in domestic availability. Efforts to combat smuggling and modernize the supply chain, alongside the introduction of regional labeling to guarantee quality, helped maintain market stability despite challenges in stock disposal reported by farmers.

From 2022 onward, market volume expanded more noticeably, reaching 1 046 thousand tonnes in 2022 and jumping to 1 157 thousand tonnes in 2023. This acceleration was driven by record production of 1 325 thousand tonnes in 2023, supported by a national program to plant one million date palms and a strong emphasis on organic farming, which covers 95% of output. The increased supply led to lower local prices, making dates more accessible. Additionally, ongoing diversification into derived products like date chocolate and oil, along with improved packaging facilities near farms and enhanced phytosanitary controls using drones, strengthened the supply chain and supported domestic consumption.

Looking ahead, Algeria's strategic focus on the dates sector continues, with a 2024 goal to double the number of importing countries and raise export value to $250 million. The ongoing palm-planting program and efforts to attract international organic certification bodies aim to further boost production and quality, positioning dates as a key non-hydrocarbon export while ensuring ample supply for the local market.

Production dates in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria ranked fourth globally in date production.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Algeria's date production volume grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1,152 thousand tonnes of dates, marking a slight increase of 1.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Algeria's date output was valued at 1,180 million US dollars, up 12.2% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,052 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 1,417 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 25.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 19.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dates from Algeria

Exports in kind, K t

Algeria's date exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 141.4 thousand tonnes, showing a solid growth of 15.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 202%, with a compound annual growth rate of 44.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Niger, France, and Morocco were the top buyers of Algerian dates by volume, accounting for 36.2%, 19.0%, and 7.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 62.2% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports peaked in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Algeria's date exports amounted to 144.9 million US dollars, a 27.3% increase from the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 117.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, France, Morocco, and the United States were the leading markets for Algerian date exports by value, accounting for 32.3%, 14.4%, and 12.4% of exports in value terms, respectively. Collectively, they made up 59.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020

Imports dates to Algeria

Imports in kind, K t

Significant fluctuations characterized the market during this period. Imports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with an 8,830-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Algeria imported 0.4 thousand tonnes of dates, representing a 77.3% increase from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.2 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 79.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 882,949.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, Niger and Saudi Arabia were the primary sources for Algeria's date imports by volume, together accounting for 87.8% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. The highest value was recorded in 2018, while the lowest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1,916 times. In 2020, Algeria imported 0.6 million US dollars worth of dates, a 14.2% decrease year-over-year. The maximum value was in 2018 at 1.4 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 49.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 191,455.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was the main supplier of dates to Algeria by value, accounting for 72.0% of total imports in value terms. Other partners had relatively modest shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020