Saudi Arabia: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi date market contracted to $X in 2022, shrinking by -2.1% against the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% 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 +2.1% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Date Production in Saudi Arabia

In value terms, date production shrank modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value 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, production decreased by -5.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 48%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average date yield in Saudi Arabia shrank slightly to X tons per ha, which is down by -2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the yield indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure 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, date yield increased by +2.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 55% against the previous year. The date yield peaked 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.

The date harvested area in Saudi Arabia expanded slightly to X ha in 2022, surging by 2.7% on the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to date production reached the maximum at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Date Exports

Exports from Saudi Arabia

In 2022, approx. X tons of dates were exported from Saudi Arabia; surging by 4.1% compared with 2021. In general, exports saw a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 49%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, date exports rose modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports posted a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons), Yemen (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons) were the main destinations of date exports from Saudi Arabia, with a combined 50% share of total exports. Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Oman, Turkey, Jordan, Somalia, Egypt, Morocco and Djibouti lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Oman (with a CAGR of +56.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) remains the key foreign market for dates exports from Saudi Arabia, comprising 26% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Yemen ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Kuwait, with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the United Arab Emirates totaled +17.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Yemen (+6.0% per year) and Kuwait (+8.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average date export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -2.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 14%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Egypt ($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 Morocco (+10.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Date Imports

Imports into Saudi Arabia

Date imports into Saudi Arabia shrank to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -10.6% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, date imports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 31%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Jordan (X tons) constituted the largest date supplier to Saudi Arabia, with a 68% share of total imports. Moreover, date imports from Jordan exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Palestine (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Jordan totaled +44.2%.

In value terms, the largest date suppliers to Saudi Arabia were Jordan ($X) and Palestine ($X).

Among the main suppliers, Jordan, with a CAGR of +40.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review.

Import Prices by Country

The average date import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, enjoyed buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 59% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Palestine ($X per ton), while the price for Jordan amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+20.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :