Dates market in Qatar

Earlier Report Observations

The dates market in Qatar began the period with a volume of 39 000 t in 2018, supported by popular date festivals that highlighted local varieties and encouraged palm cultivation for self-sufficiency. The seasonal market organized by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce provided a platform for traders, while demand for premium imported Jordanian Medjool dates grew. The state-owned company NAFCO contributed approximately 2 500 t of annual production from its local processing facility under the 'Doha Dates' brand. Despite the organization of an international date exhibition at Souq Waqif in 2019, which attracted regional companies, the overall market volume declined to 35 624 t that year. Market conditions stabilized in 2020 around 35 200 t, aided by the continuation of date festivals and seasonal demand ahead of Ramadan.

The market entered a growth phase from 2021, rising to 36 369 t. A significant expansion followed in 2022, with volume jumping 17% to 42 544 t, driven by a sharp increase in domestic production. Growth continued in 2023, reaching 45 096 t, bolstered by the international date festival at Souq Waqif that hosted 64 Gulf and Arab companies and reflected rising consumer demand for premium date varieties.

In 2024, further developments created favorable conditions for the market. The expansion of e-commerce in Qatar facilitated online marketing and sales of dates, influencing consumer behavior. A policy reduction of business license fees by up to 90% in July lowered market entry barriers, encouraging new retail concepts. Date festivals at Souq Waqif continued with ministerial support, while Qatar Tourism's participation in international exhibitions helped promote local products. NAFCO maintained its steady annual production for the domestic market throughout the period.

Production dates in Qatar

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar ranked 18th globally in date production.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

In 2020, Qatar produced 26 607 tonnes of dates, marking a 3.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production overall decreased by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.8%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 25 843 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 29 012 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 10.9%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 3.3%.

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

Exports dates from Qatar

Market analysis indicates that Qatar did not export any dates between 2017 and 2020.

Imports dates to Qatar

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign date supplies to Qatar amounted to 8 591 tonnes, representing a 12.2% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 962 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 72.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Qatar's date imports by volume were Kuwait (30.8% of imports), Oman (20.2% of imports), and Iran (14.3% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 65.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. Import levels varied 1.8 times between the low in 2017 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Qatar's date imports totaled 17 600 thousand US dollars, down by 12.7% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 26 361 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 82.0% and the largest decline in 2019 at 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan (27.3% of imports by value), Kuwait (21.5% of imports by value), and Oman (18.4% of imports by value) held the largest shares in Qatar's date imports by value. Combined, these three countries made up 67.2% of total import flows.

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

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