Dates market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The West African date market volume grew strongly from 92 thousand tons in 2018 to 183.6 thousand tons in 2022. This expansion was primarily fueled by a surge in imports, supported by increased foreign direct investment into agricultural infrastructure and logistical networks, which improved market access and distribution channels. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain fluctuations in 2020, consumer demand remained resilient, allowing the market to continue its upward trajectory.

Growth was further reinforced by the emergence of new value-added date products like powder and paste, alongside a push for organic certification, which helped stimulate consumption from 2021 onward. However, by 2023, the market volume contracted to 146.5 thousand tons. This shift was driven by unfavorable regional macroeconomic conditions, including high inflation and weak local currencies, which raised the cost of imported dates and dampened demand. Stricter labeling and traceability regulations for imports also introduced new compliance dynamics.

In 2024, the market experienced a moderate decline of 1.7%, ending the previous multi-year growth trend. This was influenced by a reduction in import prices due to global market adjustments and persistent regional economic headwinds, including security tensions in some areas that affected trade flows. Throughout the period, domestic production remained stable, highlighting the market's growing reliance on imports to meet rising consumption.

Production dates in Western Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Africa produced 42 407 tons of dates, marking a 3.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.9%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 5.1%.

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

Exports dates from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. In 2018, exports reached their peak at 1 406 tons, but then dropped sharply to a low of 344 tons in 2019, representing a 4.1-fold difference between these two years. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 75.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 90.7%. In 2020, cross-border shipments of dates from Western Africa rebounded to 643 tons, showing a steep year-on-year increase of 86.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates were the top destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 7.4%, 1.4%, and 0.6% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 9.3% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Western Africa exported dates worth 1 138 thousand US dollars, representing a steep increase of 42.4% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 32.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 799 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 28.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and Algeria each accounted for 5.9% of exports in value terms, while the United Arab Emirates contributed 1.5%. Together, these three countries formed the main group of destinations, representing 13.3% of total export flows in value terms for dates from Western Africa.

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

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

Imports dates to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

Western Africa's imports of dates increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 86 680 tons of dates, which is 8.7% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 151%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 35.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria dominated imports in kind, accounting for 74.3% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of dates imports to Western Africa rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 28 980 thousand US dollars, which is 35.7% above the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 114.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 28.9%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Algeria, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates were the main destinations for imports in value terms, accounting for 30.2%, 13.6%, and 11.2% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries absorbed 55.0% of all imports in value terms of dates to Western Africa.

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

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