Republic of Korea: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in Republic of Korea

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in the South Korean date market, when its value decreased by -15.7% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate significant growth. Date consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then plummeted in the following year.

Date Exports

Exports from Republic of Korea

In 2022, approx. X tons of dates were exported from South Korea; falling by -14.7% against the year before. Overall, exports recorded a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, date exports contracted to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) (X kg), Singapore (X kg) and Hong Kong SAR (X kg) were the main destinations of date exports from South Korea, together accounting for 54% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Singapore (with a CAGR of +92.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Hong Kong SAR ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for dates exports from South Korea, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Singapore ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Mongolia, with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Hong Kong SAR totaled +14.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Singapore (+54.6% per year) and Mongolia (+57.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average date export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 4.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average export price increased by 153%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mongolia (-6.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Date Imports

Imports into Republic of Korea

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of dates, when their volume decreased by -15.7% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, showed significant growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 126%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, date imports shrank notably to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a significant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 128% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2021, and then contracted notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of date to South Korea, accounting for a 54% share of total imports. Moreover, date imports from the United Arab Emirates exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Tunisia (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Iran (X tons), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the United Arab Emirates amounted to +27.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tunisia (+44.4% per year) and Iran (+43.7% per year).

In value terms, the largest date suppliers to South Korea were the United Arab Emirates ($X), Tunisia ($X) and Iran ($X), together comprising 82% of total imports. The United States and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

Among the main suppliers, Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +62.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average date import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 20%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+10.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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