Dates market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

The Sudanese dates market grew steadily from 413 thousand tons in 2018 to 466 thousand tons in 2020, driven by investment partnerships with Saudi groups and the expansion of date cultivation in key producing states.

After reaching its peak, the market saw a modest decline to 461 thousand tons in 2021 and a more significant contraction to 444 thousand tons in 2022, coinciding with the introduction of new import controls that likely increased production costs.

In 2023, the market stabilized at 443 thousand tons, while ongoing investment partnerships and central bank policies aimed at currency stability continued to influence the export-oriented segment of the industry.

Production dates in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan ranked as the world's seventh-largest producer of dates.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Sudan's date production increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 465.3 thousand tonnes of dates, marking a 6.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 413.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 6.1%.

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

Exports dates from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

Sudan's date exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 125 tonnes, a decrease of 40.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 71.8%, with an average annual decline of 34.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 685 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 55.1%. The following year, 2019, experienced the steepest drop of 69.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt were the core markets for Sudan's date exports in volume terms. Ethiopia accounted for 53.2% of exports, followed by the UAE at 14.7% and Egypt at 14.5%. Together, these three countries represented 82.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After rising for two years, Sudan's date exports in value terms declined in 2020. The country exported dates worth 165 thousand US dollars that year, down 54.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 16.8%, with an average annual decline of 6.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 365 thousand US dollars, while 2018 saw the largest increase of 67.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Egypt remained the main buyers of Sudanese dates in value terms. Ethiopia accounted for 30.2% of export value, Indonesia for 29.3%, and Egypt for 14.0%. Collectively, these three markets made up 73.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports dates to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed volatility during the observed period. In 2018, import volume hit its lowest point at 171 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 1,125 tonnes in 2019—a 6.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sudan imported approximately 672 tonnes of dates, a sharp reduction of 40.3% year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 556.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan's date imports in volume terms were heavily dependent on Saudi Arabia, which accounted for 91.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market in value terms was characterized by volatility during these years. In 2018, imports reached their minimum at 263 thousand US dollars, then soared to a maximum of 3,823 thousand US dollars in 2019—a 14.5-fold variation. In 2020, Sudan's date imports totaled 671 thousand US dollars, down 82.4% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 1,352.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia effectively monopolized Sudan's date imports in value terms, capturing 94.3% of total flows.

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

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