JEDDAH: Egypt has emerged as the world’s largest producer of dates, generating around 2 million tonnes annually from more than 24 million date palms, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.
The government is seeking to further strengthen the sector by expanding the cultivation of high-value export varieties, the Egyptian Cabinet said, noting that more than 200 facilities — including processing plants and packing centers — support the industry. Many of these facilities have undergone recent upgrades through combined public and private investment.
Global demand for dates is rising steadily. According to market research firm Mordor Intelligence, the global dates market is projected to grow from about $29.33 billion in 2025 to approximately $44.07 billion by 2031.
Growth is being driven by increasing consumer preference for natural sweeteners, health-oriented diets, and improved cold-chain infrastructure that supports broader distribution and exports.
Egypt’s date exports have recorded significant growth, supported by quality improvements and successful efforts to access new markets across Europe, Asia, and Africa, the Cabinet statement said.
