Egypt tops the list of the world’s largest date producers with 1.87 million tons annually, accounting for roughly 19–20% of global production, according to a May 2025 report by Egypt’s Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center.
The country has undertaken a massive national project launched in late 2018 to cultivate 2.5 million high-quality palm trees across 38,000 acres in regions such as the New Valley, Toshka, and Sinai.
Despite its production scale, Egypt exports only about 2% of its output, equivalent to 35,000–40,000 tons or around $90 million annually. Major importers of Egyptian dates include Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Bangladesh, and Sudan.
Egypt is also home to the world’s largest date-palm farm in Toshka, recognized by Guinness World Records.
2. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia ranks second globally with 1.65 million tons annually in 2024–2025. The Kingdom exports 390,000 tons per year and is targeting 20% of global date exports by the end of 2025.
In 2024, Saudi date exports reached 1.695 billion riyals ($451.7 million), with production surpassing 1.9 million tons, according to the National Center for Palms and Dates.
Saudi dates reach 133 countries, and export values have surged 192.5% since 2016, reflecting a 12.7% compound annual growth rate.
3. Algeria
Algeria ranks third with 1.28 million tons annually and a 2.6% CAGR. Known for the world-famous Deglet Nour, often called the “queen of dates”, Algeria’s palm groves span the Sahara and form a vital economic sector.
4. Iran
Iran holds fourth place with 1.08 million tons and a 4.8% annual growth rate. Estimates point to production potentially reaching 1.4 million tons in 2025.
Iran cultivates dates across 300,000 hectares and exports 430,000 tons annually.
5. Pakistan
Pakistan is the fifth-largest producer with 760,000 tons annually, growing at 3.7% per year.
The country grows over 160 date varieties, particularly in Khairpur and Panjgur. FAO data shows steady expansion in cultivated area from 520,000–530,000 tons in 2021 to today’s levels.
6. Iraq
Iraq ranks sixth with 740,000 tons annually, increasing 3.4% year over year.
The country has launched a five-year plan to expand its palm population to 30 million trees, incorporating premium varieties through advanced tissue-culture technologies.
Iraq exported 730,000 tons of dates in 2024.
7. Sudan
Sudan places seventh with 460,000 tons annually, growing at 3.9% per year.
With more than 18 million classified palm trees, dates form a cornerstone of the northern region’s economy.
Around 5% of production is exported, with most consumed domestically.
8. United Arab Emirates
The UAE ranks eighth with 415,000 tons annually, expanding at 4.5% per year.
The country exports 90% of its processed dates to 40–48 countries, achieving 1.19 billion dirhams ($324 million) in exports in 2023.
The FAO praised the UAE in 2023 for its advancements in sustainable agriculture and date-palm innovation.
9. Oman
Oman is ninth with 390,000 tons, growing at 3.5% annually.
With over 9 million productive palm trees and more than 400 varieties, Oman exports between $14–16 million in dates each year to markets in the Gulf, India, and East Africa.
10. Tunisia
Tunisia ranks tenth with 385,000 tons, increasing 4.3% annually, with output expected to reach 400,000 tons in the 2025–2026 season.
Dates represent 18% of Tunisia’s export value, reaching more than 80 markets, including Europe, which accounts for half of its date exports.
Tunisia exports 150,000 tons annually, earning over $1 billion, according to industry representatives.
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