Dates are the undisputed first food in the month of Ramadan for Muslims for religious and nutritional considerations; It is rich in iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium and a good source of fiber.
The Arab countries are almost completely dominated by the list of the largest producing and exporting countries of the world, which will be detailed in this report.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlighted in many reports of the economic importance of dates, noting that global markets view this crop planted in southwestern Asia and North Africa as high -value fruit.
The annual production of dates from about 1.8 million tons in 1961 developed to 2.8 million tons in 1985 to 5.4 million tons in 2001 to more than 9 million tons in 2023, according to Faw, which indicates its importance and increased need for it.
Moreover, dates are characterized by its large calories that make it an excellent source of energy, as well as its sweet taste in a way that makes it a substitute for repeated sugar harmful to health, according to the FAO.
Al -Faw indicated that dates are a healthy option that helps eliminate obesity, especially since there are more than two billion people in the world with weight gain.
The UN Organization noted that the long life of dates is one of the advantages that reduce food waste losses.
Unexplained capabilities
Al -Faw pointed out that people’s diets currently contain a limited number of crops out of a total of 6 thousand types of plants planted for food throughout history.
Currently, only 8 types of crops constitute more than 50% of our daily food calories.
Climate change is a nutritional threat that requires not to rely on small types of crops to feed the increasing number of population. Although dates are known in many regions of the world, only certain types are what is exchanged commercially at the international level, according to Faw.
Facts about dates
Dates are always associated with many facts, according to the “Mai Facts” website, which specializes in information, among them the following:
- Its cultivation dates back to more than 6 thousand years, and there are more than 200 species of dates, each of which has its taste and strength.
- The age of the palm is exceeding 100 years sometimes and can produce its fruits from dates most of its life.
- Dates are rich in natural sugars that make it a great stimulus for energy.
- Dates contain a large percentage of fiber that helps digestion and prevent constipation.
- It contains necessary minerals such as potassium, magnesium and copper.
- Dates are a good source of antioxidants and anti -inflammatory drugs, which reduces the risk of chronic diseases.
- In many Middle Eastern cultures, dates are offered to guests as a sign of hospitality.
- Palm usually grows from branches, not seeds to ensure the quality of fruits.
- The palm takes between 4-8 years until the production of fruits begins.
- The fruits are usually left in the palm until they are tender to ensure the most sweet taste.
Arab domination
FAO published statistics that include the world’s largest dates production in 2023, according to the following:
- Egypt: 1.86 million tons.
- Saudi Arabia: 1.64 million tons.
- Algeria: 1.32 tons.
- Iran: A million tons.
- Iraq: 636 thousand tons.
- Pakistan: 503 thousand tons.
- Sudan442 thousand tons.
- Oman: 395 thousand tons.
- Tunisia: 386 thousand tons.
- The UAE: 329 thousand tons.
The 10 largest Arab countries produce dates in 2023
- Egypt: 1.86 million tons.
- Saudi Arabia: 1.64 million tons.
- Algeria: 1.32 million tons.
- Iraq: 636 thousand tons.
- Sudan442 thousand tons.
- Oman: 395 thousand tons.
- Tunisia: 386 thousand tons.
- The UAE: 329 thousand tons.
- Libya: 188 thousand tons.
- Kuwait: 123 thousand tons.
According to Al -Faw, the total global production of dates reached 9.66 million tons in 2023.
The world’s most exported dates
The world’s most exported dates in terms of revenue in 2023, according to the International Integrated International Trade tool for the World Bank as follows:
- Saudi Arabia: $ 390 million.
- The UAE: 328 million dollars.
- Israel: 272 million dollars.
- Tunisia: $ 256 million.
- Egypt: 88 million dollars.
- Holland: 84 million dollars.
- US: $ 73 million.
- Palestine: 69 million dollars.
- Jordan: $ 59 million.
- Pakistan46.9 million dollars.
The most exporting date of dates in 2023
- Saudi Arabia: $ 390 million.
- The UAE: 328 million dollars.
- Tunisia: $ 256 million.
- Egypt: 88 million dollars.
- Palestine: 69 million dollars.
- Jordan: $ 59 million.
- Oman: 15 million dollars.
- Morocco9 million dollars.
- Djibouti: 3 million dollars.
- Lebanon: $ 1.3 million.
The world’s most importing country in 2023
- European Union: 358 million dollars.
- India: 267 million dollars.
- Morocco: 241 million dollars.
- The UAE: 215 million dollars.
- France: 108 million dollars.
- Türkiye: 87 million dollars.
- Holland: 84 million dollars.
- Indonesia: 80 million dollars.
- US: $ 78 million.
- Britain: $ 76 million.
The most importing Arab countries in 2023
- Morocco: 241 million dollars.
- The UAE: 215 million dollars.
- Kuwait: $ 36 million.
- Oman: 29 million dollars.
- Jordan: 29 million dollars.
- Qatar: 26 million dollars.
- Egypt: 17 million dollars.
- Lebanon: 13 million dollars.
- Mauritania: 8 million dollars.
- Bahrain: 6 million dollars.