EU: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in the EU

In 2022, the EU date market decreased by -14.1% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Date Production in the EU

In value terms, date production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a deep setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 94%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Spain (X tons) remains the largest date producing country in the European Union, accounting for 100% of total volume.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Spain stood at -9.9%.

In 2022, the average yield of dates in the European Union shrank to X tons per ha, approximately mirroring 2021 figures. In general, the yield saw a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the date harvested area in the European Union contracted to X ha, waning by -1.7% on 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the date harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Date Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, shipments abroad of dates decreased by -7.8% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 31%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, date exports shrank remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 24% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) and France (X tons) represented roughly 60% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Germany (X tons), Denmark (X tons) and Belgium (X tons), together generating a 25% share of total exports. The following exporters - Spain (X tons) and Italy (X tons) - each accounted for a 5.9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Denmark (with a CAGR of +21.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest date supplier in the European Union, comprising 41% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the Netherlands stood at +15.4%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+0.6% per year) and Germany (+9.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -8.6% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 9.3%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+1.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Date Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, after ten years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of dates, when their volume decreased by -7.2% to X tons. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, date imports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, France (X tons), distantly followed by Germany (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Italy (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main importers of dates, together comprising 80% of total imports. Denmark (X tons), Poland (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Austria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +14.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest date importing markets in the European Union were France ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), together accounting for 56% of total imports. Italy, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +17.0%, 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 leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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