TOP 10 LARGEST DATE PRODUCERS IN THE WORLD

RankCountry Production (1000 Metric Tonnes)

1. Egypt 1,373.57
2. Saudi Arabia 1,122.82
3. Iran 1,016.61
4. United Arab Emirates 900.00
5. Algeria 690.00
6. Iraq 619.18
7. Pakistan 557.28
8. Oman 268.01
9. Tunisia 180.00
10 Libya 165.95

Egypt is the largest date producing country as compared to

the other countries in the world according to an estimate in
2009 its production per 1000 metric tonnes was 1,373.57 .

The global trade in dates

The date fruit play a significant role in the economy of

several countries. But which ones are the main exporters
and importers?

by ITC News
The date fruit is among the sweetest around and is
especially popular in the Middle East and North Africa
(MENA) region, where it is grown in large quantities. The
date fruit also has a significant role in Islamic faith. Rich in
fibres, minerals and vitamins, dates are traditionally served
at iftar tables to break the fast during the holy month of
Ramadan.

Dates – which comes in hundreds of varieties – also play a

significant role in the economy of many of the countries
along the Fertile Crescent. In 2016, the global trade in dates,
either fresh or dried, reached $1.4 billion, a five-fold increase
since 2001. Moreover, in 2012-2016, the trade in dates
increased at an average rate of 14%.

In fact, in 2016 the combined exports of dates from the

MENA region totalled $1.12 billion, accounting for 77% of the
global exports.

Tunisia is the world’s biggest exporter of dates in value. In

2016 it exported around $227 million worth of dates or 16%
of global exports. Iran ($209m), the United Arab Emirates
($160m) and Saudi Arabia ($142m) are other large exporters
with exports of dates.

However, in terms of volume, Iraq is the biggest exporter of

dates, with more than 321,000 tons. The UAE is ranked
second with around 276,000 tons, while Iran is ranked third,
exporting 209,000 tons.
The world’s biggest importer of dates is India. In 2016, it
imported $211m worth of the fruit. The UAE and Morocco
are also key markets, with imports valued at $119m and
$96m respectively.

However, according to the Food and Agriculture

Organization, Egypt is the largest producer of dates in world
with around 17% of global production. Despite its large
production, Egypt accounts for less than 3% world exports of
dates. At 15% Iran is the second-biggest producer of dates
and Saudi Arabia is ranked third, accounting for 14% of
production.

According to ITC’s Export Potential Map the markets with

greatest potential for date exports in the MENA region are
the UAE and Morocco. The combined untapped import
potential is estimated to be worth more $235m. This
represents opportunities for dates producing countries such
as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, who can benefit from
zero tariffs under the Greater Arab Free Trade Area
agreement.

What Vietnam Mostly Imports?

Vietnam purchased goods worth US$ 258 billion in 2018 up

by 21.5% from the previous year, as per Vietnam import
statistics. Vietnam’s top 10 imports approach almost 60% of
the overall value of the country’s total commodities
purchased from the foreign suppliers. Check Vietnam trade
statistics of country’s main import commodities.
vietnam import commodities
HS Code Product Description Value (%)
68 Electrical Machinery and Equipment 26.39
24 Machinery, Mechanical Appliances, etc. 9.50
13 Plastics 5.38
11 Mineral Fuels and Oils 4.64
11 Iron and Steel 4.42
09 Optical, Photographic, Medical, Equipment, etc. 3.68
06 Knitted or Crocheted Fabrics 2.53
06 Vehicles 2.50
05 Cotton 1.97
04 Fish and Crustaceans 1.75
Which are Vietnam’s Largest Import Sources?
As per import data of Vietnam, country’s major import
source is China from where it purchased goods worth US$
58 billion in 2018. Vietnam’s top 10 import partners shared
more than 80% of the overall value. Import statistics of
Vietnam reveals the following top ten import sources of the
country.

Country Value USD Billion Share in Value (%)

China 58 27.7
South Korea 46 22.2
Japan 16 7.9
Taipei, Chinese12 6.0
Thailand 10 5.0
United States of America 09 4.4
Malaysia 05 2.8
Singapore05 2.5
India03 1.8
Indonesia 03 1.7
Latest Report Update: Jan 17, 2020

Date Market Size

The global date market revenue amounted to $X in 2018,

growing by X% against the previous year. The market value
increased at an average annual rate of +X% from 2007 to
2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat
noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent
rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the market value
increased by X% y-o-y. In that year, the global date market
attained its peak level and is likely to continue its growth in
the immediate term.

Date Production

In value terms, date production amounted to $X in 2018

estimated in export prices. In general, date production
continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The
growth pace was the most rapid in 2012 when production
volume increased by X% against the previous year. Over the
period under review, global date production attained its peak
figure level at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2018,
production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of date production in

2018 were Egypt (X tonnes), Iran (X tonnes) and Algeria (X
tonnes), with a combined X% share of global production.
From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms
of date production, amongst the main producing countries,
was attained by Algeria, while date production for the other
global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2018, the global average yield of dates amounted to X

tonne per ha, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period
under review, the date yield, however, continues to indicate a
relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of
growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of X% y-o-y. In
that year, the average date yield attained its peak level of X
tonne per ha. From 2016 to 2018, the growth of the average
date 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.

Global date harvested area totaled X ha in 2018, increasing

by X% against the previous year. The harvested area
increased at an average annual rate of +X% over the period
from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively
stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded over the
period under review. The pace of growth appeared the most
rapid in 2016 when harvested area increased by X% y-o-y.
Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated
to date production attained its maximum in 2018 and is
likely to continue its growth in the near future.

Production By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of date production in
2018 were Egypt (X tonnes), Iran (X tonnes) and Algeria (X
tonnes), with a combined X% share of global production.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms

of date production, amongst the main producing countries,
was attained by Algeria, while date production for the other
global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Date Imports

Imports 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. X tonnes of dates were imported worldwide;

rising by X% against the previous year. In general, date
imports continue to indicate a strong increase. The most
prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when
imports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review,
global date imports reached their peak figure in 2018 and are
expected to retain its growth in the near future.

In value terms, date imports amounted to $X in 2018. In

general, date imports continue to indicate a resilient
expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in
2010 with an increase of X% year-to-year. Over the period
under review, global date imports attained their peak figure
in 2018 and are expected to retain its growth in the near
future.
Imports by Country

India represented the largest importer of dates imported in

the world, with the volume of imports resulting at X tonnes,
which was near X% of total imports in 2018. Morocco (X
tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (X tonnes), Indonesia (X
tonnes), Turkey (X tonnes), the U.S. (X tonnes), France (X
tonnes), Malaysia (X tonnes), Bangladesh (X tonnes), the UK
(X tonnes), Germany (X tonnes) and Yemen (X tonnes)
occupied a little share of total imports.

India was also the fastest-growing in terms of the dates

imports, with a CAGR of +X% from 2007 to 2018. At the
same time, Turkey (+X%), Bangladesh (+X%), the U.S. (+X%),
the United Arab Emirates (+X%), Indonesia (+X%), Yemen (+X
%), Malaysia (+X%), Germany (+X%), the UK (+X%) and
France (+X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Morocco
experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. India (+X p.p.),
Turkey (+X p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+X p.p.), the U.S.
(+X p.p.), Bangladesh (+X p.p.) and Indonesia (+X p.p.)
significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global
imports, while the shares of the other countries remained
relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, India ($X) constitutes the largest market for

imported dates worldwide, comprising X% of global imports.
The second position in the ranking was occupied by the U.S.
($X), with a X% share of global imports. It was followed by
France, with a X% share.
From 2007 to 2018, the average annual rate of growth in
terms of value in India stood at +X%. In the other countries,
the average annual rates were as follows: the U.S. (+X% per
year) and France (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average date import price amounted to $X per

tonne, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall,
the date import price, however, continues to indicate a slight
deduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in
2008 an increase of X% against the previous year. In that
year, the average import prices for dates attained their peak
level of $X per tonne. From 2009 to 2018, the growth in
terms of the average import prices for dates remained at a
lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices

amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, the country
with the highest price was Germany ($X per tonne), while
India ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms

of prices was attained by Indonesia, while the other global
leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
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