Market research

Dates market in ECOWAS

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"ECOWAS" region includes following countries:

Benin

Burkina Faso

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Côte d'Ivoire

Cabo Verde

Liberia

Mali

Niger

Nigeria

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Earlier Report Observations

The dates market in ECOWAS expanded significantly from 64.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 155.7 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was driven by a sharp rise in imports, which increased from 46.1 to 136.8 thousand tons over the period. The expansion coincided with growing global date production, particularly from Tunisia and Algeria, which enhanced international supply. Intensified competition among North African exporters also contributed by keeping prices competitive, further stimulating import demand in the region.

In 2023, the market contracted to 118.7 thousand tons as imports fell to 99.6 thousand tons, while domestic production remained stable at 19.5 thousand tons. The decline occurred despite expectations of higher output in key producing countries like Morocco. For 2024, import volumes recovered to 121.5 thousand tons, indicating a potential rebound supported by sustained demand during Ramadan and global export initiatives such as Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which promotes dates as a non-oil export commodity.

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 ECOWAS
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS 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, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K 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 Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin 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 Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin 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, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Benin in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K 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 Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Benin 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 Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Benin 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, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K 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 Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin 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 Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin 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, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Benin in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, K 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 Benin in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Benin 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 Benin, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Benin by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K 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 ECOWAS

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

In 2020, ECOWAS produced 20,012 tonnes of dates, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 6.0%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.8%	(3.4%)	6.0%	2.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports dates from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 at 344 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 1,300 tonnes in 2018, creating a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.8 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of dates from ECOWAS reached 643 tonnes, representing a substantial 87.1% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 73.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	76.3%	(73.5%)	87.1%	(4.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Algeria and Vietnam were the primary markets for ECOWAS's date exports in kind, together accounting for 8.8% 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 ECOWAS in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, ECOWAS exported dates worth 1,138 thousand US dollars, reflecting a gain of 42.5% over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 32.8%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 9.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 798 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year with a 24.7% drop.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	23.8%	(24.7%)	42.5%	9.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Algeria consistently dominated ECOWAS's date exports in value terms, making up 12.0% 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 ECOWAS in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports dates to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of dates into ECOWAS have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 82,529 tonnes, which is 9.2% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 173.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	52.7%	64.0%	9.2%	39.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Algeria was the main supplier of dates to ECOWAS in kind, capturing 78.3% of total imports, while other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of date imports into ECOWAS has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 23,068 thousand US dollars, up by 37.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 138%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	42.2%	21.5%	37.8%	33.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for ECOWAS's date imports in value terms were Algeria (32.3% of imports), the United Arab Emirates (11.6%), and China (10.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 54.5% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io