Middle East: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern date market dropped modestly to $X in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Date Production in the Middle East

In value terms, date production fell slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 9.6%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Saudi Arabia (X tons), Iran (X tons) and Iraq (X tons), together accounting for 77% of total production. Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Israel lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Israel (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average date yield reduced slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the yield increased by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the date yield reached the peak level at X tons per ha in 2019; however, from 2020 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 Middle East totaled X ha, picking up by 1.7% against 2021 figures. In general, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 9.5%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to date production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Date Exports

Exports in the Middle East

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of dates decreased by -2% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 51%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, date exports expanded slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 47%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) were the main exporters of dates in the Middle East, together committing 57% of total exports. Iran (X tons) took a 17% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Israel (11%) and Iraq (7.5%). The following exporters - Oman (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) - each accounted for a 4.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +17.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Israel ($X), Saudi Arabia ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 70% share of total exports. Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Oman lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +21.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 11% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Date Imports

Imports in the Middle East

After ten years of growth, purchases abroad of dates decreased by -9.3% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 22%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, date imports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, posted a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the major importer of dates, constituting 46% of total imports. Turkey (X tons) held a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Yemen (14%), Kuwait (5.9%) and Oman (5.1%). Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons) held a little 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, Turkey (+17.3%), Kuwait (+15.2%), Oman (+13.8%), Yemen (+5.3%), Lebanon (+2.7%) and Syrian Arab Republic (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Kuwait increased by +34, +7.1 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Turkey ($X) and Kuwait ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 66% share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +18.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 2.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a mild descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 7.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Kuwait ($X per ton), while Yemen ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (-0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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