Dates market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The dates market in Southern Europe expanded from 38 575 t in 2018 to 51 216 t in 2023, with initial growth fueled by rising demand for Medjool dates and strong exports from Israel and Morocco to Spain. The market continued to benefit from expanding consumption beyond the Muslim population and increased year-round demand, particularly during Ramadan.

Market volume growth continued in 2020, reaching 43 037 t, though value declined. A sharp increase to 49 698 t occurred in 2021, supported by robust export flows and the strengthening of domestic markets in producer countries. A slight dip in 2022 to 48 829 t was followed by recovery in 2023, driven by a 20-25% annual increase in Israeli date production and exports to European markets.

By 2024, the only European date production center in Elche, Spain, began exporting to Belgium and the Netherlands, leveraging quality as a key selling point. Growing demand for natural sweeteners and healthy products, including date powder and bottled syrups, alongside the rise of e-commerce, are shaping new market segments.

Production dates in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Southern Europe's dates production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 14 571 tonnes of dates were produced in Southern Europe, which is 3.8% higher than in 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 13 423 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 9.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of dates in Southern Europe was valued at 43 735 thousand US dollars, marking a significant contraction of 17.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 29.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 10.9%. The largest decline was in 2018, at 26.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 16.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports dates from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year reduction, dates exports from Southern Europe increased. In 2020, Southern Europe exported 4 146 tonnes of dates, reflecting a dramatic uptick of 58.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 36%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 617 tonnes. The largest decline was in 2018, with a drop of 7.5%.

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

The partner structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Austria accounted for 23.4% of exports in kind, France for 10.4%, and Germany for 8.0%, together making up only 41.9% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exported dates volumes from Southern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 12 443 thousand US dollars, indicating an abrupt uptick of 25.6% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 2.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 541 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 25.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dates from Southern Europe were traded with many countries. Even the largest destinations—Austria, Germany, and France—together represented only 34.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports dates to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Southern Europe's dates imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 32 612 tonnes, reflecting a limited rise of 7.8% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 20.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia, Algeria, and Israel formed the main cluster of markets for imports in kind. Tunisia accounted for 49.1% of imports in kind, Algeria for 12.3%, and Israel for 11.3%, with a combined share of 72.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign dates supplies to Southern Europe increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 92 040 thousand US dollars, up by 6.0% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia, Israel, and France were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms for dates to Southern Europe. Tunisia accounted for 42.3% of imports in value terms, Israel for 27.8%, and France for 7.0%, with a combined share of 77.1% of total flows.

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

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