Dates market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The dates market in MENA, measured by volume, expanded consistently from 6.7 million tons in 2018 to 7.3 million tons in 2023. Growth was steady through 2020, followed by a minor contraction in 2021, before accelerating again to reach its highest point in 2023 with a 3.5% annual increase. Over the five-year period, the total market volume grew by nearly 8%.

In value terms, the market presented a different trajectory, declining from $12.3 billion in 2018 to a low of $10.0 billion in 2021. This was followed by a recovery, with the market value returning to $12.4 billion by 2023. The divergence between physical volume and monetary value points to significant shifts in pricing dynamics within the period.

Underpinning the market's volume growth was a steady rise in domestic production, which increased from 7.5 million tons to 8.3 million tons. Net trade positions also evolved, with exports growing substantially from 2018 to 2021 before moderating, while import volumes saw notable increases, particularly in 2021 and 2022.

Production dates in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Dates production in the MENA region has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 044 thousand tonnes of dates, marking a 2.7% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of dates production in the MENA region has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 11 347 million US dollars, representing a significant decrease of 10.9% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 13 390 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 30.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dates from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Dates exports from the MENA region have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 1 170 thousand tonnes, up by 10.4% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 30.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 850 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.4%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 24.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, dates exports from the MENA region were widely distributed across various markets. India accounted for 25.0% of exports in volume, Pakistan for 4.6%, and Turkey for 3.8%. Together, these three countries made up just 33.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, dates exports from the MENA region declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 650 million US dollars, a decrease of 4.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 28.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 723 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dates exports from the MENA region in value terms showed a broad spread across markets. India contributed 12.5% of export value, France 5.8%, and Turkey 4.0%. Combined, these three markets accounted for only 22.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dates to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Dates imports into the MENA region have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 118 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp increase of 26.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 203.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 44.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Pakistan was the largest contributor to dates imports in volume for the MENA region, accounting for 6.8%. Turkey followed with 0.7%, and Palestine with 0.5%. Together, these three countries made up 8.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, dates imports into the MENA region declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 452 million US dollars, showing a decrease of 40.3% from a year earlier. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The peak value was in 2019 at 758 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 63.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan and Palestine consistently remained the main markets for dates imports in value terms into the MENA region, together accounting for 3.7% of total import flows.

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

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