Egypt aims to increase the date exports in global market growth

Egypt, the world's leading date producer with an annual performance of 1.87 million tons, exports only two percent of its production. This figure shows the expansion potential. According to the Agricultural Export Council (AEC), the date contributes 90 million US dollars annually, which only corresponds to one percent of total agricultural exports in Egypt.

Saudi Arabia, the second largest manufacturer, consumes 80 percent of its 1.64 million tons on site and offers Egypt the opportunity to expand its export market. Egypt is currently concentrating on premium varieties such as Medjool, Sukkary, Khalas and Ajwa.

Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz from the National Research Center suggests that the expansion of the semi-threatening varieties, which are in high demand worldwide, to increase exports. These varieties currently only make up 20 percent of the Egyptian date production. Abdel-Aziz is committed to a committed advice to strategate the growth of export volume and to satisfy worldwide demand.

Hani Fouad, an Egyptian exporter, determines the growth potential of the sector despite the current marginal export levels. He emphasizes an increasing international interest in Egyptian data, especially in Medjool. In 2024, the global date trade was scored with an annual growth rate of 20 percent worth 2.4 billion US dollars.

Fouad indicates the competition of Jordan, Palestine and Israel. A boycott of Israeli products according to the Gaza conflict could prefer Egyptian exports. Israeli data often do not use Hebrew labels to irritate consumers, but awareness of these practices grows.

Egypt benefits from trade agreements such as the free trade agreement in Egypt turkey, which make Egyptian medjool data attractive despite higher prices compared to Jordanian data that are exposed to tariffs in Turkey.

While Saudi data are popular in Egypt, regions such as Bahariya and Siwa produce competitive quality appointments. Morocco, Indonesia, Turkey and Russia are leading importers of Egyptian data.

Fouad emphasizes the need for a clear agricultural roadmap for small investors and the proximity to processing systems in order to reduce the costs. He notes that high investment costs in the agriculture of the date, with fountains and seedlings being significant expenses. Date palms need four to five years to mature and affect the investment snaps.

The FAO's national date strategy aims to increase in five years and 500 million US dollars in ten years to 250 million US dollars and 500 million dollars. The strategy is also aimed at reducing losses according to the harvest and the costs for the supply chain costs and improves competitiveness.

The Business Research Company will be projected by 2028 that the international data market reaches 36.14 billion US dollars, with a growth rate of 6.18 percent of $ 50.43 billion.

Source: Ahramonline