Dates are the most valuable dried fruits worldwide. They have been cultivated mainly in the Persian Gulf area of the Middle East, but the emerging trend of healthy snacking is increasing their consumption in other parts of the world. The main supplying countries to date fruit markets are Saudi Arabia, Iran, and UAE, which also harvest the most dates in the world.
Date ingredients include date paste, syrup, sugar, chopped dates, pitted dates, etc. They are used as high-value sugar and honey replacements, fillers, binders in ceremonial delicacies, date butter, jams, chutney, jelly, date in-syrup and confectionery, and snacks. They are also used in sweet and savory dishes.
In this article, we discuss the market and sales of these food ingredients.
Date Supplying Countries and Production
World date fruit production stood at one million metric tons in the 2020/2021 season. Saudi Arabia was the leading producer and exporter of dates in that season. Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Egypt, and Algeria were the other highest-producing countries over the same time period. Date cultivation originated in Iraq, and that country has always been a major producer.
Countries with the highest export volume to date fruit market included Saudi Arabia, Iran, and UAE, followed by Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Iraq, and others. The chart below summarizes the production information for the mentioned countries.
Post Covid-19 Market Trends Overview
Generally, dates are known and liked for their rich nutrient contents, such as vitamins, proteins, amino acids, antioxidants, and fiber. They also provide structural functions, giving strength and chewiness to foods. So, date products have many applications in the food industry sectors.
Post-COVID-19, the date fruit market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% during 2021–2026. The market will likely grow from US$ 12.14 billion in 2020 to US$ 16.4 billion by 2026. The market growth will take place along two lines of applications.
There is a rising demand for date ingredients in the food processing industry to enhance the nutritional value of snacks and bars. This includes using dates as a healthy ingredient in date-based food items such as snacks, confectionery, baked goods, desserts, syrups, and purees. The target market for this trend includes everyone who fancies healthy date-based food.
The rise in fitness trends is another growth factor in the date fruit market. Dates provide slow-release carbohydrates that provide a constant flow of energy before, during, and after workout.
Date Fruit Market Offerings
There are dozens of date products offered to the market. The more common date ingredients found on the market are as follows.
- Raw dates
- Pitted dates
- Chopped dates
- Date Paste
- Date Syrup
- Seed Powder
Below, we look at the three most common ones. We also highlight their application in the food industry.
Date paste
This date derivative is a new but revolutionary food ingredient. It is the most demanded date ingredient in the market. Many food manufacturers and processing companies have already begun implementing date paste in their products. These include, but are not limited to, bar manufacturers, confectioneries, and bakeries.
Date paste is offered in 500g, 1 kg, 12kg, and larger wholesale packages. Retail packaging is available in 500g and 1kg plastic packages.
Date Syrup
This date product has a similar application to date paste. Date syrup market is expected to grow accordingly. It is mostly applied to foods where its soft consistency is an advantage, such as ice cream with date syrup and drinks. It can also replace honey in nutrition bars.
Date syrup is typically offered in 500gr squeeze bottles for end users or 20-liter jerry cans for wholesale purposes.
Date sugar
Date sugar is a light-brown sweet powder made from dried dates. This date derivative looks like granulated sugars except it is naturally sweet and less processed. And it is often promoted as a healthier alternative to brown sugar.
Date sugar is used in food applications where its powdery texture adds a rich sweetness and a caramel-like taste to recipes.
Note: Date sugar should not be confused with date palm sugar, also called palm sugar, which is made from the sap of the sugar palm tree.
Date Fruits End Users
The key players in the date fruit market include the date fruit producers, distributors, and industry chain related companies. They help date ingredients reach the following final users in one way or another.
Date products can be sold to household consumers through retailers and shops, usually to be consumed as snacks or added to recipes. Or date products can be bought and processed by any of the following means.
- Food & Beverages Industry
- Bakery & Desserts
- Confectionery
- Dietary Supplements
- Functional Food & Nutritional bars
- Personal Care & Cosmetics
- Ice Creams
- Chocolates and Snacks
The major driver of the date fruit market is its healthfulness. Date’s consumption and trade will continue to grow in response to healthy-eating trends. Food manufacturers will use date ingredients to enrich food products and snacks. And there will be more date consumers who are engaged in physical activities.
Conclusion
The major driver of the date fruit market is its healthfulness. Date’s consumption and trade will continue to grow in response to healthy-eating trends. Food manufacturers will use date ingredients to enrich food products and snacks. And there will be more date consumers who are engaged in physical activities.
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