Market research

Dates market in the United Arab Emirates

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the UAE dates market was shaped by foundational support policies and technological adoption. The long-standing farmer support initiative by Al Foah, guaranteeing purchase prices, alongside specialized packaging facilities like the Liwa factory, provided stability for local production. Market volume grew to 300.5 thousand tons in 2019. However, it contracted to 270.7 thousand tons in 2020, a period that also saw rising domestic demand for innovative products like honey and nut-infused dates, indicating shifting consumer preferences within a consolidating market.

A significant rebound occurred in 2021, with market volume expanding to 302.9 thousand tons. This growth was supported by the implementation of an integrated pest management program for date palms in Abu Dhabi, which helped control threats like the red palm weevil and improved output quality. The following year, the market volume declined sharply to 248.5 thousand tons, even as the industry continued to develop advanced packaging and storage services to enhance product competitiveness for both local and global sales.

The market recovered to 268.6 thousand tons in 2023, aided by the adoption of pheromone and light traps for pest control, which contributed to better crop quality and yields. Moving into 2024, the UAE solidified its position as a global leader in the dates trade, with a focus on expanding premium date production and the rise of local brands offering organic and derived products, reflecting ongoing government attention and innovation in the sector.

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 the United Arab Emirates
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K 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, K 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. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Arab Emirates by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates 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, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ 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 the United Arab Emirates

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, the United Arab Emirates ranked as the 9th largest producer of dates from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, the United Arab Emirates produced 351.5 K t of dates, representing a slight increase of 3.0% compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 341.2 K t, with the largest decline of 1.1% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.1%	(1.1%)	3.0%	0.6%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, dates production in the United Arab Emirates declined in 2020. The output was valued at 334.1 M $ US, marking a year-over-year decrease of 4.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 26.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 350.4 M $ US, while the largest increase of 28.1% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	28.1%	3.3%	(4.7%)	8.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports dates from the United Arab Emirates

Exports in kind, K t

Cross-border shipments of dates from the United Arab Emirates increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Exports reached 240.7 K t, showing a strong year-over-year growth of 13.1%. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 10.4%, with a CAGR of 3.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 200.9 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.8%)	5.9%	13.1%	3.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India, Morocco, and Bangladesh were the main buyers of dates from the United Arab Emirates in terms of volume. India accounted for 34.3% of exports, Morocco for 14.2%, and Bangladesh for 13.9%, together comprising 62.4% of total exports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign dates supplies from the United Arab Emirates increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 228.8 M $ US of dates, indicating a moderate gain of 4.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 36.6%, with a CAGR of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	17.9%	10.6%	4.7%	10.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, India, Morocco, and Bangladesh were the principal destinations for dates exports from the United Arab Emirates in value terms. India accounted for 24.3% of exports, Morocco for 18.3%, and Bangladesh for 14.7%, jointly representing 57.3% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports dates to the United Arab Emirates

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the volume of dates imports into the United Arab Emirates amounted to 159.9 K t, reflecting a decrease of 7.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.4%, with a CAGR of 0.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 150.1 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.3%. In contrast, imports peaked in 2019 at 172.1 K t, with the largest increase of 14.6% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.3%)	14.6%	(7.1%)	(0.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan accounted for the largest share of dates imports into the United Arab Emirates in terms of volume. Iraq represented 45.1% of imports, Saudi Arabia 23.7%, and Pakistan 15.8%, together comprising 84.5% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2020, the United Arab Emirates imported 107.3 M $ US of dates, indicating a steep decline of 73.7% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 107.2 M $ US, while the highest occurred in 2019 at 407.8 M $ US, with the largest increase of 280.4% that year. The peak-to-trough ratio between 2019 and 2018 was 3.8 times.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Arab Emirates in value, 2017-2020, M $ US