The 10 World’s Biggest Countries in Date Production -Date/ Date Palm are one of the favorite fruits of many people and widely served as several dishes for breaking the fast and religious events of the world’s Muslims. Historically, date/date palm became a staple food in the Middle East thousands of years ago. This Origin is around Persia. Until now, dates cultivation and farming spread over in several countries because of the various health benefits in the nutritional content of this fruit.
Taxonomically, the date palm tree or Phoenix dactylifera belong to the Order of Arecales and Family Arecaceae so that it is still closely related to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), coconut (Cocos nucifera L), and other palm tree species. Date trees are also often referred to as the fruit of the prophet because of the various positive benefits it provides for human health.
Statistically, based on the FAO Statistical Database in 2021, the world’s production of Dates in 2021 reached 9.6 millions with harvested area of all around the world reached 1.3 millions hectares. Basically, the production of Dates and harverted area from 1990 to 2021 has increaced gradually. Specificially, in the continental regions, the main production of Dates palm are concentrated in Asia and Africa. Overall, the Asia output of Dates in 2021 reached 5.4 million tonnes, and Africa’s Output of dates achieved 4.1 million tonnes.
Statistically, along with the increasing demand and the various positive benefits, many countries cultivate date palms. FAOSTAT (FAO Statistical Databases) data from the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO), from the United Nations (UN), has recorded the 10 World’s Biggest Countries in Dates Production of 2021. Below are data on the 10 largest date-producing countries in 2021.
Table 10 World’s Biggest Countries in Dates Production of 2019, 2020, and 2021 According to the FAOStatistical Database (FAOSTAT) from FAO, United Nations (UN).
| Rank | Countries | Production in 2019 | Production in 2020 | Production in 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Tonnes) | (Tonnes) | (Tonnes) | ||
| 1 | Egypt | 1,644,210 | 1,711,200 | 1,747,715 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 1,539,756 | 1,541,769 | 1,565,830 |
| 3 | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 1,307,908 | 1,281,976 | 1,303,717 |
| 4 | Algeria | 1,136,025 | 1,151,909 | 1,188,803 |
| 5 | Iraq | 639,315 | 735,353 | 750,225 |
| 6 | Pakistan | 564,904 | 560,184 | 532,880 |
| 7 | Sudan | 438,700 | 465,323 | 460,097 |
| 8 | Oman | 376,850 | 368,577 | 374,200 |
| 9 | United Arab Emirates | 341,246 | 351,462 | 351,077 |
| 10 | Tunisia | 289,000 | 332,000 | 345,000 |
| Source : FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT,2022) | ||||
Source ; FAOStat, 2022
To add a brief overview of the conditions of date palm cultivation in each of the biggest countries in the world, this will be shown some brief descriptions of statistics and an overview of date palm cultivation in the 6 World’s Biggest Countries in Dates Production of 2019.
1.Egypt
Egypt is the world’s largest date palm producer in 2021 with total production reaching 1,747,714 tonnes. In this country, the types of dates planted are classified based on geographic conditions, namely soft (43.5%), semiarid (19%), and arid (2.5%). Agronomically, the date palms in this Pyramid Country are mostly planted in the Nile Valley and around the Eastern desert oasis but the Nile River delta is the largest region with its production contribution reaching 1/3 of Egypt’s national production. From a genetic perspective, the cultivars/types of dates area spread over Hayany (soft), Zaghloul (soft), Siwy (semiarid). In this country, the harvesting time is around September-November (Bekheet, 2015).
2.Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the second-largest date palm producer in the world in 2021 with a total production of 1,565,830 tonnes. Statistically, the distribution of date palm plantations can be found in several regions. Riyadh, Qassim, eastern province, and Medina are the largest date-growing areas in the country. Dates have become the main commodity from this country due to an increase in the population of date palm cultivation in this country. From 1990 to 2011, the total plant population and the area for planting date palms in Saudi Arabia have increased from 13 million to 25 million trees and an increase in area from 55,000 ha to 170,000 ha (Al-Redhaiman, 2014).
3. Iran
Iran is the 3rd biggest date producer in the world of 2021 with total production reaching 1,303,716 tonnes. In this country, date palm plantations spread over in the South, Southeast, and Southwestern regions of Iran. The types of dates grown in this country vary according to the geographical and climatic conditions of the region. Types of Bam Mazafati Dates, Piarom Dates, Kalute Dates, Zahedi Wet Dates, Dried Zahedi Dates, Kabkab Dates, Sayer Dates, Rabbi Dates, Lulu Dates, Shahani Dates are some of the popular dates in Iran (Ario, 2020).
4.Algeria
Algeria is the 4th largest date palm producer in the world in 2021 with a total production of 1,188,803 tonnes. About 18 million date palms are cultivated in this country with a land area of about 169,380 hectares (ha). Statistics show that date palm production in Algeria is mainly concentrated in the southeastern part of the country, which accounts for 76% of the national production. Biskra Province ranks first with a contribution of almost 31%, followed by El Oued (27%) and Ouargla with 18% contribution to national production. Deglet Noor, Degla Beida, and Tafezwin dates are some of the most popular dates in Algeria and have been exported to other countries (Nadia et al, 2015).
5. Iraq
Iraq is the 5th largest date palm producer in the world of 2021 with total production reaching 750,225 tonnes. In this country, the population of date palms is more than 15 million trees scattered in several regions. Some of the areas that are the center of the country’s date palm cultivation are Babylon, Baghdad, Diyala, Karbala, and Basrah. In terms of type, dates grown in Iraq and considered to have high commercial value included Zahidi, Halawy, Sayer, Khadrawy, Khastawi, and Dayri (Khierallah, et al., 2015).
6. Pakistan
Pakistan is the 6th biggest date producer in the world of 2021 with total production reaching 532,879 tonnes. Statistically, Balochistan and Sindh provinces account for around 90% of Pakistan’s total date production. Meanwhile, when viewed from the type of dates planted, several cultivars/types of dates planted and popular in this country include Begum Jangi, Muzawati, Kehraba, and Rabai. Statistically, 80% of date production is prioritized for domestic consumption and only 20% of dates from Pakistan are exported abroad. Geographically, in Pakistan, there are main regions for date cultivation. These areas include Khairpur district and the Panjgur District.
7. Sudan
Sudan is the 7th biggest producer of dates in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Dates from Sudan reached 460,096.55 tonnes. Geographically, in Sudan, there are main regions for date cultivation. Bilad al-Mahas, Sukut, Dongola, Dar al-Shaiqiyah, Dar al-Manasir, Dar al-Rubatab and the areas around Bauqah and Berber along the Nile boast extensive date cultivation areas.
8. Oman
Oman is the 8th biggest producer of Dates in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Dates from Oman reached 374,200 tonnes. Geographically, in Oman, there are main regions for date cultivation. Nizwa and Suwaiq are some of the main regions of dates cultivation in Oman
9. Uni Arab Emirates
Uni Arab Emirates is the 9th biggest producer in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Dates from Uni Arab Emirates reached 351,077.48 thousand tonnes.
10. Tunisia
Tunisia is 10th biggest producer in 2021. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Dates from Tunisia reached 345,000 tonnes. Geographically, in Tunisia, there are main regions for date cultivation. Djerid and Kebili are some of the main regions of dates cultivation in Tunisia.
Bibliography of World’s Biggest Countries in Date Production
Thank you and hopefully, it can be useful.
Source 10 World’s Biggest Countries in Date Production of 2019:
Abul-Soad, A.A., Mahdi S.M., Markhand G.S. 2015. Date Palm Status and Perspective in Pakistan. In: Al-Khayri J., Jain S., Johnson D. (eds) Date Palm Genetic Resources and Utilization. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9707-8_5
Al-Redhaiman, K. 2014. Date Palm Cultivation in Saudi Arabia: Current Status and Future Prospects for Development. Conference: 2014 ASHS Annual Conference
Ario. 2020. Date Fruit Production in Iran. Accessed via http://www.datefruit.ir/ on May 4, 2021.
Bekheet, S & S.El-Sharabasy. 2015. Date Palm Status and Perspective in Egypt. DOI: 10.1007 / 978-94-017-9694-1_3.
FAOSTAT. 10-Production of Dates: top 10 producers. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United Nations (UN). Accessed via http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/visualize on 23 April 2021.
Khierallah, H.S.M., Bader S.M., Ibrahim K.M., Al-Jboory I.J. 2015. Date Palm Status and Perspective in Iraq. In: Al-Khayri J., Jain S., Johnson D. (eds) Date Palm Genetic Resources and Utilization. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9707-8_4.
Nadia, B., Malika.K & Souad.B., Benziouche. S.E. 2015. Date Palm Status and Perspective in Algeria. DOI: 10.1007 / 978-94-017-9694-1_4
