Dates market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dates in South America expanded from 1,860 tons in 2018 to 3,750 tons in 2023, driven primarily by rising imports and consumption. The most notable surge occurred in 2023, when the market grew by 34% to 3,750 tons, fueled by increased imports into Brazil and growing consumer awareness of the fruit's health benefits. Earlier, in 2022, innovation in date-based products such as syrups and jams helped stimulate demand, supporting market growth.

Local production of dates also rose steadily, from 286 tons in 2018 to 569 tons in 2023, as several initiatives aimed at developing the sector took shape. Interest in date cultivation emerged in Paraguay's Chaco region in 2018, and by 2021, precision agriculture and sustainable solutions were being implemented to unlock the genetic potential of date palms. In 2024, these efforts were reinforced by donations of date-palm seedlings from the United Arab Emirates to Brazil, along with state‑backed investments and international partnerships designed to establish a viable production system in the semi‑arid Northeast.

Underlying the overall expansion was a shift in consumer preferences toward healthy, natural foods, with dates increasingly positioned as a refined‑sugar alternative and a functional snack. This trend, coupled with the entry of new derived‑product segments and packaging innovations, broadened the market’s appeal and supported continued import growth, which reached 5,943 tons in 2024.

Production dates in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

South America's date production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 438.7 tonnes of dates, marking a substantial 14.6% improvement from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 57.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

South America's date production value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 873 thousand US dollars, representing a 2.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 55.8%, with a CAGR of 15.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 105 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 8.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 64.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in South America in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports dates from South America

Exports in kind, t

South America's date export volume grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 500 tonnes of dates, a 49.1% increase year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 563.8%, with a CAGR of 87.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Canada were the top buyers of dates from South America in terms of volume. The Netherlands accounted for 37.4% of exports, the United Kingdom for 13.9%, and Canada for 7.8%, with their combined share reaching 59.1% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

South America's date export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 2 135 thousand US dollars, up by 34.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 557.9%, with a CAGR of 87.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Canada formed the core group of markets for South American date exports in value terms. The Netherlands represented 37.7% of exports, the United Kingdom 17.7%, and Canada 7.4%, together accounting for 62.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dates to South America

Imports in kind, t

South America's date import volume rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 227 tonnes, a 19.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 38.6%, with a CAGR of 11.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia, Iran, and Egypt were the primary sources for date imports into South America in terms of volume. Tunisia accounted for 54.4% of imports, Iran for 13.8%, and Egypt for 8.1%, with their combined share making up 76.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

South America's date import value increased in 2020, totalling 5 565 thousand US dollars, a 9.3% improvement year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 17.9%, with a CAGR of 5.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 4.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 12.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Tunisia, the United States, and Iran—together accounted for 79.6% of total date imports into South America in value terms.

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

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