Dates market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Production growth in the Western Asian date sector from 2018 to 2020 was supported by export-oriented policies, notably Saudi Arabia's push to increase its global market share through quality upgrades and access to new markets like India and Morocco. This focus boosted output, which rose from 2 951 тыс. т in 2018 to 3 299 тыс. т in 2020, while domestic market volume remained steady, ending the period at 2 850 тыс. т.

The market dynamics shifted after 2021, as rising worldwide demand for healthy and natural foods, coupled with supportive financing under Saudi Vision 2030 which positioned dates as a leading non-oil export, stimulated growth. After a slight dip in 2021, the market volume recovered to 2 787 тыс. т in 2022, with its value increasing 11.5% to $4 548 млн, reflecting the initial impact of these global trends.

The most pronounced expansion occurred in 2023, when the market volume jumped 14.2% to 3 184 тыс. т and its value soared 44.0% to $6 550 млн. This surge was directly fueled by increased consumer demand for premium, sustainably produced dates, greater investment in research and development, and the growing availability of value-added derived products like syrups and powders.

Production dates in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Western Asia's date production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 299 thousand tonnes of dates, which represents a 3.6% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, date production in Western Asia saw a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 892 million US dollars, marking a moderate decrease of 10.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 29.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 8.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 436 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 35.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dates from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, date exports from Western Asia totaled 642.0 thousand tonnes, down by 3.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 14.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 440.4 thousand tonnes, and the highest in 2019 at 665.0 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 21.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 51.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, date exports from Western Asia were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. India accounted for 35.1% of exports in kind, Bangladesh for 5.5%, and Morocco for 5.2%, together making up 45.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, date exports from Western Asia declined. In 2020, exports reached 952 million US dollars, showing a significant decrease of 16.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 25.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 135 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in the same year with a 48.2% rise.

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

The partner structure for date exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. India accounted for 14.9% of exports in value terms, Morocco for 5.4%, and the United Kingdom for 5.1%, together representing only 25.5% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports dates to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, date imports into Western Asia amounted to 193.0 thousand tonnes, showing a strong increase of 22.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 72.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 9.6% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 55.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Pakistan, and Tunisia formed the core of date imports into Western Asia in kind. Iran accounted for 17.8% of imports, Pakistan for 8.1%, and Tunisia for 1.4%, together making up 27.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, date imports into Western Asia reached 355 million US dollars, representing a sharp contraction of 44.8% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 643 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in the same year at 74.4%. There was a 1.8-fold variation between the maximum in 2019 and the minimum in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Pakistan, and Tunisia were the main destinations for date imports into Western Asia in value terms. Iran accounted for 10.1% of imports, Pakistan for 2.7%, and Tunisia for 2.6%, together representing 15.4% of total flows.

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

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