Date Market

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the global date market, projecting an upward consumption trend with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% from 2022 to 2030. Market performance is forecasted to expand, reaching 11M tons in volume and $14.9B in value by the end of 2030. Key insights include consumption patterns, production trends, import and export statistics, top consuming and producing countries, and average price fluctuations. Data shows fluctuations in consumption, production, and trade volumes over the past decade, with countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Iran leading in both consumption and production. The analysis also highlights growth rates, market values, and price variations to provide a comprehensive overview of the global date market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for dates worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 11M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $14.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Dates

In 2022, after ten years of growth, there was decline in consumption of dates, when its volume decreased by -0.8% to 9.6M tons. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 5%. Global consumption peaked at 9.7M tons in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

The global date market size was estimated at $10.7B in 2022, flattening at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 9.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $11B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Egypt (1.7M tons), Saudi Arabia (1.3M tons) and Algeria (997K tons), with a combined 41% share of global consumption. Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, India, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Tunisia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Tunisia (with a CAGR of +9.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($1.7B), Saudi Arabia ($1.4B) and Algeria ($1.1B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 39% share of the global market. Iraq, Iran, Morocco, Tunisia, Oman, Sudan, Pakistan, India and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +11.7%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of date per capita consumption in 2022 were Oman (71 kg per person), Saudi Arabia (36 kg per person) and the United Arab Emirates (33 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Tunisia (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Dates

In 2022, production of dates decreased by -0.6% to 9.6M tons for the first time since 2011, thus ending a ten-year rising trend. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 5.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak volume at 9.7M tons in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a tangible expansion of the harvested area and mild growth in yield figures.

In value terms, date production totaled $10.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 11%. Global production peaked at $10.9B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Egypt (1.7M tons), Saudi Arabia (1.6M tons) and Iran (1.3M tons), together accounting for 48% of global production. Algeria, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Libya, China and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Tunisia (with a CAGR of +5.8%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Yield

In 2022, the global average yield of dates amounted to 7.5 tons per ha, flattening at 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 4.7%. Over the period under review, the average date yield attained the peak level at 7.6 tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum.

Harvested Area

In 2022, approx. 1.3M ha of dates were harvested worldwide; declining by -1.7% against the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 5.3%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to date production attained the peak figure at 1.3M ha in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports

World Imports of Dates

In 2022, supplies from abroad of dates decreased by -1.6% to 1.6M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, total imports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +58.8% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 1.6M tons, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, date imports shrank to $1.8B in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +99.9% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at $1.9B in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, India (439K tons) represented the key importer of dates, creating 28% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (183K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 11% share, followed by Niger (7.2%) and Morocco (6.9%). The following importers - Pakistan (64K tons), Indonesia (61K tons), Turkey (52K tons), Yemen (48K tons), France (45K tons), Kazakhstan (35K tons), Germany (26K tons), the United States (25K tons) and Malaysia (24K tons) - together made up 24% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to date imports into India stood at +5.9%. At the same time, Pakistan (+26.4%), Kazakhstan (+25.7%), Niger (+19.6%), Turkey (+13.4%), Indonesia (+10.5%), Germany (+9.0%), Morocco (+6.4%), Yemen (+5.6%), France (+4.7%), Malaysia (+1.8%) and the United States (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Pakistan emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +26.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the United Arab Emirates (-2.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Niger (+5.3 p.p.), Pakistan (+3.4 p.p.), India (+2.9 p.p.), Kazakhstan (+1.8 p.p.), Turkey (+1.8 p.p.) and Indonesia (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates (-12.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest date importing markets worldwide were India ($231M), Morocco ($211M) and the United Arab Emirates ($142M), together accounting for 32% of global imports. France, Indonesia, the United States, Germany, Turkey, Malaysia, Yemen, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Niger lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Kazakhstan, with a CAGR of +18.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average date import price stood at $1,154 per ton in 2022, reducing by -3.6% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.3%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 17% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $1,304 per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($3,230 per ton), while Niger ($84 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+8.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Dates

In 2022, shipments abroad of dates decreased by -0.7% to 1.6M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +66.7% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 1.6M tons in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, date exports contracted to $1.9B in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +90.4% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 21%. The global exports peaked at $2.1B in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Iran (464K tons), distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (267K tons), the United Arab Emirates (204K tons), Algeria (174K tons), Tunisia (119K tons), Pakistan (107K tons) and Israel (79K tons) were the main exporters of dates, together mixing up 88% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Algeria (with a CAGR of +23.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest date supplying countries worldwide were Saudi Arabia ($305M), Iran ($298M) and Tunisia ($273M), together accounting for 47% of global exports. The United Arab Emirates, Israel, Algeria and Pakistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

Algeria, with a CAGR of +16.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average date export price stood at $1,169 per ton in 2022, which is down by -9.4% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $1,442 per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($2,290 per ton), while Pakistan ($398 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+9.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform