The global dates market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.79%, reaching a market size of US$18.564 billion in 2029 from US$14.012 billion in 2024.
Dates are a type of delicious fruit that is grown from the date palm tree, scientific name Phoenix dactylifera. Date palms are known to be a native fruit of the Persian Gulf Area in the Middle Eastern region. Some of the common types of dates include Medjool dates, Deglet Noor dates, Barhi dates, and many others.
Introduction:
The global dates market is expected to witness an increase in growth during the forecasted period of 2024-2029, due to factors such as the increase in health consumers in the market, which drives the dates market due to the various health benefits that are obtainable from dates.
Market Drivers:
- Health Benefits: Dates are considered a healthy fruit that can be obtained from cultivating date palm trees. Date palms are commonly found in the Persian Gulf region of the Middle East, where hundreds of date palm cultivators produce dates every year. The US Department of Agriculture stated that one serving of dates, which is about 100 grams or four pieces of dates, contains a high amount of the daily recommended nutrients and minerals, which include copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and vitamin B6. Dates are also known to contain a high fibre content of 7 grams per serving, which is similar to the same amount of fibre that is obtainable from a cup of whole-cooked wheat pasta or just under a half cup of lentils. The increase in the number of health-conscious consumers in the market has shown an increase in growth during the past few years, driving the growth of date consumption during the forecasted period due to the various health benefits that dates provide. The various health benefits that are obtainable from the consumption of dates include:
- Improves gut health: The fibre that is contained in dates provides enhanced heart health and management of blood sugar levels, lowers LDL cholesterol levels and total cholesterol, helps manage weight, and reduces the risk for colorectal cancer, stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
- Prevention of Chronic Diseases: Dates contain antioxidants that help in the protection of cells from any kind of damage caused by free radicals. Dates are known to reduce the risk of chronic diseases due to their various antioxidant properties, which include Carotenoids, flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids, and polyphenols.
- Improves Brain Health: Dates have proven to provide enhanced brain activity and improved brain health due to the various antioxidants present in the fruit. It also protects against inflammation throughout the body, which includes brain inflammation diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- Sweetener Alternate: Dates are also known for being used as a healthier alternative to refined sugar, acting as a healthy sweetener for various food products.
Key Players:
- Al Barakah Dates Factory: A Dubai-based facility known for the production and packaging of dates across the world, with an annual production of 100,000 tons of dates.
- Barari Group: A multinational company that is known for the exporting and importing of various types of food products, which include dates and tea.
Regional Analysis:
The Middle East and Africa region is expected to hold the dominant position in the global dates market and will be expected to witness significant growth during the forecasted period of 2024-2029. The Middle Eastern region is one of the largest producers of dates worldwide. Dates also hold a cultural significance in the region, playing an important role in the Muslim tradition of Ramadan. Dates are considered a sweet dish that is loved by a wide range of people throughout the world. They also provide a wide range of benefits to the body and are considered a healthy snack. The Middle East and Africa region is expected to hold the largest share of the global dates market, with several global leaders of the market arising from this region. Egypt is one of the world's largest producers of dates as of 2021, which is further followed by Iran, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Food and Agriculture Organization stated that Egypt had been ranked first in the total global production of dates, accounting for an estimated 1.7 million tons every year and representing 17.7% of the global dates production and 24.4% of the total Arab region production in 2020. This relevance of the production of dates in the region drives the dates market growth during the forecasted period. Furthermore, the support of the government also provides the necessary driving force for the regional dates market. For instance, in November 2022, Morocco aimed to increase its date production by two times, expecting to reach an estimated 300,000 tons of dates per year by 2030, which is an increase from 149,000 tons in 2021. This goal was coupled with the implementation of their new strategy Generation Green 2020-2030, which includes the plantation of 5 million plants, among which 3 million plants are of traditional palm. This initiative allows for the rehabilitation of the traditional palm grove and the extension of the plantations outside the palm grove. The increase in the production of dates and the implementation of initiatives by the government drive the dates market growth during the forecasted period.
Market Developments:
- July 2022: Joolies Dates announced the launch of their brand extension dubbed Jooliettes Dark Chocolate Dates Nibbles. Joolies is a California-based organic Medjool dates grower that is known for the production of high-quality dates products. This product consists of diced organic Medjool dates panned in high-quality chocolate with a fresh twist on the traditional snack. The product was available in three varieties, which include Blood Orange Dark Chocolate, Sea Salt Dark Chocolate, and Matcha Dark Chocolate, with two different retail size offerings; a 2oz pillow pouch and a 4oz resealable stand-up pouch. The dates that are distributed by the company are also Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO, Vegan, and Kosher.
Segmentation:
- By Date Type:
- Medjool Dates
- Deglet Noor Dates
- Barhi Dates
- Others
- By Processing:
- Fresh
- Pitted
- Paste
- Others
- By Application:
- Direct Consumption
- Bakery & Confectionery
- Food & Beverage Industry
- By Distribution Channel:
- Hypermarkets and Supermarkets
- Convenience Stores
- Online Retail
- Specialty Stores
- Others
- By Geography:
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- South America
- Europe
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Others
- Middle East and Africa
- Asia Pacific
- Japan
- China
- India
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Others