Dates market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

Egypt's dates market volume expanded from 1.6 million tonnes in 2018 to over 1.8 million tonnes in 2022, a growth driven by the state's strategic focus on the sector. Initial plans announced in 2018 aimed to increase the number of palm trees to 15 million and boost yield per tree, setting the foundation for sustained production growth over the following years.

After peaking in 2022, the market volume contracted to 1.7 million tonnes in 2023. Concurrently, regulatory and infrastructural developments were introduced, including a new Egyptian standard for Medjool dates (specification no. 8733) and an expansion of the packaging and processing station network to more than 143 facilities nationwide, measures designed to elevate product quality and supply chain efficiency.

Entering 2024, industry efforts intensified to capitalize on Egypt's position as the world's leading dates producer. The focus shifted towards high-value export varieties like Medjool and Barhi, supported by the scaling of mega-farms such as the project in East Owainat and the launch of the 'Tamr Egypt' digital platform to facilitate trade and market access.

Production dates in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Egypt was the world's leading producer of dates from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Egypt's dates production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 711 thousand tonnes of dates, marking a 4.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 11%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

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

Exports dates from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Egypt exported 12 049 tonnes of dates, representing a 9.2% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 11.9%, with an average annual decrease of 4.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Morocco, and Malaysia were the top destinations for Egypt's dates exports by volume. Indonesia accounted for 42.9% of exports, Morocco for 36.5%, and Malaysia for 6.6%, together making up 86.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Egypt's dates exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 43 521 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate contraction of 3.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 30.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 49 856 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline of 9.9% occurred in 2019. The most significant increase was in 2018, at 49.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Indonesia, Morocco, and Malaysia formed the core of Egypt's dates exports by value. Indonesia represented 42.7% of exports, Morocco 36.8%, and Malaysia 6.5%, collectively accounting for 86.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dates to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Egypt imported 2 444 tonnes of dates, reflecting a sharp decline of 20.9% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 090 tonnes, while the largest increase of 70.4% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and Iraq were the key partner countries for Egypt's dates imports by volume, together accounting for 88.6% of total import flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports varied from a low in 2017 to a high in 2019, with a 2.6-fold difference. In 2020, Egypt imported 6 535 thousand US dollars worth of dates, amounting to a significant drop of 26.5% from the year before. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 890 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase of 81.6% was in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Saudi Arabia and Iraq remained the key partner countries for Egypt's dates imports by value, with a combined share of 88.5% of total import flows; other partners accounted for the rest.

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

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