Dates market in Kuwait

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Kuwait's dates market volume grew from 111.5 thousand tons to 129.7 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by a clear shift in consumer preferences toward higher-quality imported dates from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which boosted import demand. The trend was further reinforced in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic increased consumer focus on healthy foods, including dates.

In 2021, despite growing consumer interest in dates as a health food, which prompted retailers to diversify their product ranges, the market volume edged down slightly to 128.4 thousand tons. A more pronounced contraction followed in 2022, with the market falling to 114.9 thousand tons. This decline coincided with the continued reduction in the number of date shops in the Al-Mubarakiya market due to rising rents and low sales, limiting retail access. The market then recovered to 123.2 thousand tons in 2023.

Production dates in Kuwait

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Kuwait was among the world's leading producers of dates from 2017 to 2020, ranking 14th globally by production volume.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Kuwait's dates production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 111.8 thousand tons of dates, reflecting a 5.8% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 27.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.5%.

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

Exports dates from Kuwait

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 234 tons, followed by a sharp increase to 2 321 tons in 2020, representing an 891.6% surge compared to the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 3 917 tons, with the largest decline of 94.0% occurring in 2019. Overall, export levels varied 17-fold between the high of 2018 and the low of 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar was the primary market for Kuwait's dates exports, accounting for 80.0% of total exports in volume, while other destinations made up a smaller portion.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility during these years. In 2019, exports hit a low of 218 thousand US dollars, then jumped to 2 514 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 1,053.4% increase over the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 887 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 96.8% occurring in 2019. The difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2019 was 32-fold.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Qatar remained the main destination for Kuwait's dates exports in value terms, capturing 81.6% of total flows, while the rest was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports dates to Kuwait

Imports in kind, t

Kuwait's dates imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 20 274 tons of dates, showing a slight advance of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 47%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was the leading source for Kuwait's dates imports in volume, holding an 89.8% share of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Kuwait's dates import volumes increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 34 314 thousand US dollars, representing a modest rise of 5.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 65.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia dominated Kuwait's dates imports in value terms, accounting for 87.8% of total flows, while other destinations played a relatively minor role.

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

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