Dates market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The dates market in the GCC region showed an overall upward trajectory from 2018 to 2023, climbing from 2.08 million tonnes to 2.64 million tonnes—a 27% increase. This growth was punctuated by a notable peak of 2.28 million tonnes in 2019.

Following the 2019 high, market volume contracted over the next two years, falling to 2.11 million tonnes in 2020 and 2.07 million tonnes in 2021. A modest recovery to 2.10 million tonnes occurred in 2022.

The market dynamics shifted decisively in 2023, with volume jumping by 25.8% to reach 2.64 million tonnes. This surge not only recovered the earlier declines but also set a new record for the period, exceeding the 2019 peak by over 360 000 tonnes.

Production dates in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

GCC's date production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 2 414 K t, showing no significant change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 17.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.5%.

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

Exports dates from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

Date exports from the GCC have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the GCC exported 438.3 K t of dates, marking a 41.5% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 25.5%, with an annualized rate of 7.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 228.9 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 34.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, GCC date exports were distributed across a wide range of markets. India accounted for 23.9% of exports in kind, Morocco for 9.6%, and Bangladesh for 9.1%, with these three countries together making up only 42.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of date exports from the GCC has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 513.0 M $ US, reflecting a modest 6.5% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 36.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.0%.

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

The market base for GCC date exports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. India accounted for 15.1% of export value, Morocco for 10.4%, and Bangladesh for 7.2%, with these three countries jointly representing just 32.7% of total flows. The remaining 67.3% was shared among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports dates to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, GCC date import volume declined. In 2020, imports totaled 135.5 K t, a 28.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 3.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 190.1 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 22.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Pakistan, and Iran were the main suppliers of dates to the GCC. Iraq accounted for 34.5% of imports in kind, Pakistan for 12.6%, and Iran for 9.0%, with these three countries together making up 56.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

There were significant fluctuations in the value of date imports to the GCC during this period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 191.4 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 506.1 M $ US, representing a 2.6-fold difference. In 2020, imports totaled 198.3 M $ US, a sharp 60.8% drop year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 164.4%.

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

The structure of GCC date imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of trading partners. Iraq accounted for 37.9% of import value, Jordan for 4.8%, and Iran for 3.6%, with these three countries jointly representing only 46.3% of total flows. The remaining 53.7% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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