Dates market in Saudi Arabia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Saudi Arabia's date production expanded steadily from 1,303 thousand tons in 2018 to 1,903 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was initially supported by export promotion efforts, including the Saudi Export Development Authority's participation in date festivals and the preparation of detailed market reports for 23 countries, which enhanced exporter readiness. The international recognition of dates as a super fruit by the FAO in 2019 and the declaration of an International Year of Dates for 2027 further elevated the product's profile, stimulating domestic production.

The sector's expansion accelerated under Saudi Vision 2030, which targeted dates as a strategic investment for national exports. Development of the largest date market in Qassim and higher product compliance rates improved domestic trade efficiency. By 2023, an integrated program to support major date companies in international marketing, coupled with agreements to place Saudi dates in over 500 branches of large retail chains, contributed to an 18% production increase that year, pushing market volume to 1,801 thousand tons.

Production dates in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia maintained its position as the world's second-largest producer of dates by volume.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Date production in Saudi Arabia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 542 K t of dates, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 25.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.0%.

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

Exports dates from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for dates from Saudi Arabia showed significant volatility during this period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 52.4 K t, then climbed to a peak of 223.0 K t in 2020, representing a 4.3-fold increase. The 2020 figure marked a sharp rise of 223.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 64.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates (22.7% of exports in kind), Yemen (17.6%), and Kuwait (9.5%) were notable buyers of Saudi Arabian dates, but their combined share of total exports in kind was only 49.7%, indicating they did not dominate the market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of date exports from Saudi Arabia has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 252.1 M $ US, an increase of 8.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 35%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market in value terms was diverse. The United Arab Emirates (24.3% of exports in value), Kuwait (10.4%), and Yemen (10.0%) together accounted for only 44.6% of total flows, while a substantial 55.4% went to many other countries.

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

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

Imports dates to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes for dates into Saudi Arabia were highly volatile during these years. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.5 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 4.3 K t, reflecting a 9.2-fold gap. In 2020, imports totaled 4.0 K t, a decrease of 5.2% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 27.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 823.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Jordan and Palestine accounted for the majority of date imports in kind to Saudi Arabia, with other markets playing a less significant role.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of date imports into Saudi Arabia exhibited considerable volatility. The minimum value was recorded in 2017, while the maximum was in 2019 at 12.2 M $ US, showing a 13.1-fold variation. In 2020, imports totaled 4.0 M $ US, marking a sharp decline of 32.0% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 846.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Jordan and Palestine remained the primary markets for date imports in value terms, jointly representing 88.0% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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