Market research

Dates market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the dates market in Eastern Africa expanded from 29 735 t in 2018 to 48 610 t in 2021, before experiencing a modest contraction to 46 672 t by 2023. This growth was primarily fueled by a substantial increase in imports, which rose from 14 493 t to over 34 776 t over the same period, while domestic production remained relatively stable at around 15 000 t annually.

By 2023, dates were widely recognized in Kenya for their nutritional value, consumed mainly in dry form, which supported steady consumer interest. Simultaneously, the retail availability of dates through online channels expanded, with major retailers like Carrefour Kenya offering promotions and delivery services, improving market access. Economic pressures also influenced consumer behavior, shifting preferences towards more budget-friendly date options.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production dates in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Dates production in Eastern Africa declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 15,599 tonnes, marking a 2.0% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, output had fallen slightly to 15,341 tonnes, representing a 1.7% decrease compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.1%	2.0%	(1.7%)	0.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports dates from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point recorded in 2017 and the highest in 2018, showing a 10.8-fold difference between these years. In 2018, exports surged by 976.6% to reach 53 tonnes, the maximum value for the period. However, in 2019, exports dropped sharply by 73.5%. By 2020, exports rebounded to 35 tonnes, a 148.8% increase compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	976.6%	(73.5%)	148.8%	92.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Eastern Africa's dates exports in kind were the United Arab Emirates, accounting for 4.2% of exports, Egypt with 2.5%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 1.1%. Together, these three markets represented 7.8% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export volumes in value terms bottomed out in 2019 at 27,000 US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 80,000 US dollars, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3 times. In 2019, exports declined by 62.1%, but by 2020, they had surged by 196.8% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	120.0%	(62.1%)	196.8%	35.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key markets for Eastern Africa's dates exports in value terms were the United Arab Emirates, representing 10.0% of exports, Egypt with 4.7%, and France at 1.4%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 16.1% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports dates to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Foreign dates supplies to Eastern Africa increased for the second consecutive year. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 14,493 tonnes, a 27.5% decline from the previous year. In 2019, imports rose by 34.4%, and by 2020, they had grown to 24,942 tonnes, a 28.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 24.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(27.5%)	34.4%	28.1%	7.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were the dominant sources for dates imports in kind to Eastern Africa, jointly absorbing 84.7% of total imports, while the remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign dates supplies to Eastern Africa increased for the second consecutive year. Imports in value terms hit their minimum in 2018 at 11,419,000 US dollars, a 6.8% decline from the previous year. By 2020, imports had risen to 14,959,000 US dollars, a 22.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 22.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.8%)	7.3%	22.0%	6.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates served as the dominant destinations for dates imports in value terms to Eastern Africa, jointly accounting for 85.0% of total flows, with the rest shared among other markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io