Market research

Dates market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The dates market volume in Sub-Saharan Africa expanded from 144 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 254 thousand tons in 2022, driven largely by a sharp rise in imports which grew from 70 thousand tons to 180 thousand tons over the same period. Domestic production remained stable at around 80-81 thousand tons annually, indicating that the market growth was primarily import-led.

The market contracted by 16% to 213 thousand tons in 2023, as imports fell to 140 thousand tons. This period saw the impact of new U.S. tariff policies and evolving European regulations, which created challenges for African agricultural exports and likely influenced regional trade dynamics and import availability.

In 2024, dates imports recovered to 164 thousand tons, while exports were 11 thousand tons. The market operated under the pressure of an El Niño-induced drought affecting regional agricultural production, alongside a broader context of record South African agricultural exports and moderating food inflation, which shaped supply conditions and consumer behavior.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production dates in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Sub-Saharan Africa's dates production volume has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 81 565 tonnes of dates, representing a slight year-over-year advance of 1.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.6%	0.6%	1.8%	2.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports dates from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 6.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, dates exports from Sub-Saharan Africa totalled 18.7 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp increase of 380.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 25.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	78.4%	(25.1%)	380.0%	85.8%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, exports in kind of dates from Sub-Saharan Africa were spread relatively evenly. The Netherlands accounted for 27.7% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 12.1%, and Algeria for 2.8%, with these three countries jointly representing 42.5% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Dates deliveries from Sub-Saharan Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 53 637 thousand US dollars worth of dates, which is 219.2% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 315.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 60.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	29.1%	0.9%	219.2%	60.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In 2017–2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates continued to be the main buyers of dates from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 44.9% of exports in value, the United Kingdom for 20.0%, and the United Arab Emirates for 2.8%, with these three countries jointly forming 67.7% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports dates to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Dates deliveries to Sub-Saharan Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 113.1 thousand tonnes, up by 11.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 98.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	22.4%	45.7%	11.3%	25.7%

Source: SHEV.io

In 2017–2020, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia remained the principal suppliers of dates to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind. Algeria accounted for 55.1% of imports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 13.7%, and Saudi Arabia for 12.3%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 81.2% of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Dates volumes imported by Sub-Saharan Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 53 573 thousand US dollars, showing an advance of 20.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 70.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.7%	24.1%	20.1%	19.6%

Source: SHEV.io

In 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Algeria formed the main group of destinations for imports in value terms of dates to Sub-Saharan Africa. Saudi Arabia accounted for 21.2% of imports in value terms, the United Arab Emirates for 18.9%, and Algeria for 15.2%, with a combined share of 55.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io