GCC: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in GCC

The GCC date market fell to $X in 2022, dropping by -1.8% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +1.2% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Date Production in GCC

In value terms, date production dropped slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +1.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of date production was Saudi Arabia (X tons), accounting for 65% of total volume. Moreover, date production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Oman (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates (X tons), with a 14% share.

In Saudi Arabia, date production increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Oman (+2.8% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+4.1% per year).

The average date yield fell slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, which is down by -1.9% compared with the year before. The yield indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, date yield increased by +1.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the yield increased by 39%. Over the period under review, the date yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 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 total area harvested in terms of dates production in GCC rose slightly to X ha, surging by 1.8% against 2021 figures. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 12%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Date Exports

Exports in GCC

After four years of growth, shipments abroad of dates decreased by -3.7% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, date exports declined modestly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 117%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) dominates exports structure, together comprising 96% of total exports. Oman (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +12.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest date supplying countries in GCC were Saudi Arabia ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Oman ($X), together accounting for 99% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +12.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Export price indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, date export price decreased by -35.3% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 54% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Oman ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X 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 (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Date Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, overseas purchases of dates decreased by -10.4% to X tons for the first time since 2011, thus ending a ten-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, recorded a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 45%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, date imports shrank to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 52% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates prevails in imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 76% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Kuwait (X tons) and Oman (X tons), together constituting an 18% share of total imports. The following importers - Bahrain (X tons) and Qatar (X tons) - each finished at a 4.1% share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the dates imports, with a CAGR of +27.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kuwait (+15.2%), Oman (+13.8%) and Bahrain (+12.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Qatar experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. The United Arab Emirates (+35 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar saw its share reduced by -1.8%, -4.1%, -5.1% and -8.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported dates in GCC, comprising 62% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Kuwait ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Oman, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +18.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Kuwait (+13.0% per year) and Oman (+10.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 12% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform