Global Date Market 2019 - Egypt Continues to Dominate the Market

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'World - Dates - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The global date market revenue amounted to $13.8B in 2018, jumping by 9.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the market value increased by 9.7% year-to-year. In that year, the global date market attained its peak level and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of date consumption in 2018 were Egypt (1.6M tons), Algeria (1.1M tons) and Iran (1M tons), together accounting for 44% of global consumption. These countries were followed by Saudi Arabia, Sudan, India, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Iraq, Oman and Morocco, which together accounted for a further 39%.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of date consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by India, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($2.3B), Algeria ($2.1B) and Iran ($1.1B) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2018, together accounting for 40% of the global market. These countries were followed by Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Oman, Morocco, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and India, which together accounted for a further 38%.

In 2018, the highest levels of date per capita consumption was registered in Oman (79 kg per person), followed by the United Arab Emirates (39 kg per person), Algeria (26 kg per person) and Saudi Arabia (19 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of date was estimated at 1.09 kg per person.

In Oman, date per capita consumption plunged by an average annual rate of -1.8% over the period from 2007-2018. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (-10.1% per year) and Algeria (+5.1% per year).

Market Forecast 2019-2025

Driven by increasing demand for date worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next seven years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the seven-year period from 2018 to 2025, which is projected to bring the market volume to 9.8M tons by the end of 2025.

Production 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. 8.4M tons of dates were produced worldwide; picking up by 2.3% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed over the period under review. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 6.4% against the previous year. The global date production peaked in 2018 and is likely to continue its growth in the near future. The general positive trend in terms of date output was largely conditioned by a modest increase of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, date production totaled $13.2B in 2018 estimated in export prices. Overall, date production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2012 when production volume increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global date production attained its peak figure level at $14.4B in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2018, production failed to regain its momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of date production in 2018 were Egypt (1.6M tons), Iran (1.2M tons) and Algeria (1.1M tons), with a combined 47% 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 the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Harvested Area 2007-2018

In 2018, the total area harvested in terms of dates production worldwide amounted to 1.4M ha, jumping by 3.6% against the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2007 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations over the period under review. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when harvested area increased by 6.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to date production reached its peak figure in 2018 and is likely to continue its growth in the near future.

Yield 2007-2018

Global average date yield amounted to 6 ton per ha in 2018, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period under review, the date yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when yield increased by 8.4% against the previous year. In that year, the average date yield attained its peak level of 6.6 ton per ha. From 2016 to 2018, the growth of the average date yield remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports 2007-2018

In 2018, approx. 1.1M tons of dates were exported worldwide. In general, date exports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 39% y-o-y. In that year, global date exports reached their peak and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, date exports amounted to $1.7B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. In general, date exports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. In that year, global date exports reached their peak and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Iraq (263K tons), Iran (180K tons), Pakistan (136K tons), Tunisia (115K tons), Saudi Arabia (104K tons) and the United Arab Emirates (97K tons) represented roughly 79% of total exports of dates in 2018. It was distantly followed by Israel (58K tons), committing a 5.1% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest date markets worldwide were Tunisia ($319M), Israel ($207M) and Iran ($176M), together accounting for 40% of global exports. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

The United Arab Emirates experienced the highest growth rate of exports, among the main exporting countries over the last eleven-year period, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average date export price stood at $1,530 per ton in 2018, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, the date export price continues to indicate a temperate downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2012 when the average export price increased by 8.7% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the average export prices for dates reached their maximum at $2,031 per ton in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2018, export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Israel ($3,594 per ton), while Iraq ($408 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia, while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports 2007-2018

Global imports amounted to 1.1M tons in 2018. Over the period under review, date imports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2009 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. The global imports peaked in 2018 and are likely to continue its growth in the near future.

In value terms, date imports stood at $1.6B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018. Overall, date imports continue to indicate a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global date imports attained their maximum in 2018 and are expected to retain its growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

India was the largest importing country with an import of about 423K tons, which finished at 38% of total imports. The following importers - Morocco (45K tons), the United Arab Emirates (41K tons), Indonesia (40K tons), Turkey (39K tons), the U.S. (37K tons), France (35K tons), Malaysia (31K tons), Bangladesh (30K tons), the UK (24K tons), Germany (22K tons) and Yemen (21K tons) - together made up 33% of total imports.

India was also the fastest-growing in terms of the dates imports, with a CAGR of +22.9% from 2007 to 2018. At the same time, Turkey (+22.9%), Bangladesh (+16.5%), the U.S. (+14.2%), the United Arab Emirates (+11.7%), Indonesia (+8.9%), Yemen (+7.0%), Malaysia (+6.6%), Germany (+6.5%), the UK (+4.7%) and France (+2.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Morocco experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. India (+34 p.p.), Turkey (+3.2 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+2.6 p.p.), the U.S. (+2.6 p.p.), Bangladesh (+2.2 p.p.) and Indonesia (+2.2 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 ($275M) constitutes the largest market for imported dates worldwide, comprising 18% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the U.S. ($99M), with a 6.3% share of global imports. It was followed by France, with a 6.3% share.

From 2007 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of value in India totaled +12.7%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the U.S. (+20.6% per year) and France (+3.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the average date import price amounted to $1,399 per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, the date import price, however, continues to indicate a slight deduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 an increase of 16% against the previous year. In that year, the average import prices for dates attained their peak level of $1,862 per ton. From 2009 to 2018, the growth in terms of the average import prices for dates remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Germany ($3,078 per ton), while India ($651 per ton) 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.

Companies mentioned:

Kingdom Dates

Tabuk Agriculture Development Company (TADCO)

Lion Dates

Al Barakah Dates Factory LLC

Pars Dried Fruits Company

Green Atlas Tree

Nadeed Al Washm Factory For Dates

KDI GROUP

Sharjah Dates Factory

Ibn Zaid Dates Factory

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Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform