Dates market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Asian dates market volume expanded from 4.8 million tons to 5.2 million tons, supported by regional production growth in the Middle East and North Africa where rising demand for healthy food attracted new players focused on post-harvest quality improvements. Consumer preferences gradually shifted towards premium and environmentally friendly dates, while the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated the adoption of new packaging technologies to maintain product quality despite supply chain disruptions.

After a temporary contraction to 4.5 million tons in 2022, partly due to higher energy and raw material costs affecting production expenses, the market rebounded strongly to 5.6 million tons in 2023. This recovery was underpinned by increased state-owned company involvement in production and export support, along with government policy changes promoting Saudi date exports. Substantial investments in large-scale agricultural projects to expand date palm cultivation areas, coupled with growing consumer interest in premium and organic varieties, fueled the market's rapid growth.

In 2024, the market's orientation towards exports intensified, with Saudi Arabia reaffirming its target to raise its share of global date exports to 20% by 2025. Regional conflicts such as the Iran-Israel war impacted date prices in Asian markets, particularly India, while growing demand in Europe and India drove trade expansion despite global logistical challenges.

Production dates in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Asia's date production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5,259 thousand tons of dates, marking a slight increase of 0.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of date production in Asia reached 17,226 million US dollars, up 15.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 23.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 15.9%.

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

Exports dates from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Asia exported 402.5 thousand tons of dates, a decrease of 19.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 7.9%, with an average annual rate of 2.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 372.9 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 497.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 33.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Asia's date exports in volume terms were highly diversified. Morocco accounted for 3.2% of exports, the United Kingdom for 2.0%, and Russia for 1.8%, together making up just 7.0% of total flows. The remaining 93.0% came from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, date exports from Asia declined in value. In 2020, exports totaled 1,318 million US dollars, down 7.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 16.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The peak value was in 2019 at 1,428 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 16.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia's date exports in value terms were widely distributed across partner countries. The United Kingdom represented 4.2% of exports, Morocco 3.9%, and the Netherlands 3.1%, together accounting for only 11.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dates to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Asia imported approximately 217.1 thousand tons of dates, a sharp increase of 61.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 59.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 134.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 36.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria consistently led Asia's date imports in volume terms. Egypt accounted for 3.9% of imports, Tunisia for 3.2%, and Algeria for 1.4%, together representing 8.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Asia's date imports in value terms fell. In 2020, imports stood at 654 million US dollars, a significant decline of 25.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 14.7%, with an annualized rate of 4.7%. The highest value was in 2019 at 880 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 45.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tunisia, Egypt, and Algeria remained the top suppliers of dates to Asia in value terms. Tunisia accounted for 8.0% of imports, Egypt for 3.8%, and Algeria for 1.7%, together making up 13.5% of total imports.

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

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