Broadly stable
China Dates Production moved from 163.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 162.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−0.8%), an average of −0.1% a year. The series high was 164.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 156.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
What China Dates Production shows
China Dates Production was 162.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0.1% on 2023. The China Dates Production dataset provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's date cultivation performance and agricultural output trends between 2015 and 2024. Measured in Thousand Tonnes, the dataset serves as an important benchmark for evaluating date farming capacity, orchard productivity, fruit cultivation performance, and the development of China's horticultural sector.
A 4.7% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2016) is 7.73 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −4.3% in 2016.
Ranks 9 of 17 countries covered
Among the 17 countries in this dataset, China ranks 9 for 2024, behind Saudi Arabia (1,928 Thousand Tonnes) and Egypt (1,750 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 1.6% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
China Dates Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 162.3 | −0.1% |
| 2023 | 162.5 | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 161.9 | −0.4% |
| 2021 | 162.5 | −0.4% |
| 2020 | 163.1 | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 160.1 | −2.6% |
| 2018Peak | 164.4 | +3.1% |
| 2017 | 159.4 | +1.8% |
| 2016 Trough | 156.6 | −4.3% |
| 2015 | 163.6 | — |
Regional context
How China compares in Asia
Dates Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. China is highlighted.
1Saudi Arabia1,928
2Iran1,182
3Iraq587.2
4Oman400.7
5UAE333.6
6China162.3
7Kuwait102.2
8Israel80.00
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Dates Production — – Dates Production refers to the total quantity of dates harvested and produced within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of date palm cultivation, agricultural productivity, and the contribution of date farming to the agricultural and horticultural sectors. It is used to assess domestic production capacity, food supply, and the availability of dates for consumption, processing, and export. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The data includes the annual production of dates harvested from date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera) and recorded as primary agricultural output. It covers dates produced for fresh consumption, drying, food processing, confectionery, syrup production, and export markets. The figures represent harvested production quantities collected from official agricultural statistics and standardized by the FAO to enable international comparison across countries and years.
The data excludes processed date products such as date syrup, date paste, date sugar, and other value-added products. It also excludes date imports and exports, cultivation area, yield per hectare, post-harvest losses, inventory changes, and informal or unrecorded production not captured in official agricultural statistics. Other fruit crops such as figs, raisins, prunes, and dried fruits are not included in this indicator.
About this indicator
Dates Production — – Dates Production refers to the total quantity of dates harvested and produced within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of date palm cultivation, agricultural productivity, and the contribution of date farming to the agricultural and horticultural sectors. It is used to assess domestic production capacity, food supply, and the availability of dates for consumption, processing, and export. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Based on the validated data, China's dates production remained relatively stable throughout the study period with only minor annual fluctuations. Production stood at 163.62 thousand tonnes in 2015 before declining to 156.63 thousand tonnes in 2016, the lowest level recorded during the period. Output recovered to 159.41 thousand tonnes in 2017 and 164.36 thousand tonnes in 2018, representing the highest production level in the dataset. Production moderated to 160.13 thousand tonnes in 2019, increased to 163.12 thousand tonnes in 2020, and remained stable at 162.54 thousand tonnes in 2021, 161.93 thousand tonnes in 2022, 162.53 thousand tonnes in 2023, and 162.33 thousand tonnes in 2024. The overall trend reflects a mature and well-established dates industry characterized by consistent production levels, efficient cultivation practices, and stable orchard productivity.
The dataset provides valuable insights into China's dates production trends, agricultural productivity, and horticultural supply chain development. It supports historical trend analysis, production benchmarking, market assessment, and forecasting of future date availability. Farmers, fruit producers, processors, exporters, policymakers, investors, researchers, and industry stakeholders can use the dataset to evaluate production performance, compare annual output, identify productivity trends, optimize cultivation planning, and strengthen supply chain strategies. The data is also valuable for assessing the long-term development of China's dates industry, supporting agricultural innovation, improving production efficiency, enhancing fruit sector competitiveness, and promoting sustainable growth across the horticulture and food processing industries.
- Indicator
- Dates Production
- Country
- China
- Region
- Asia
- Unit
- Thousand Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is China Dates Production?
Definition – Dates Production refers to the total quantity of dates harvested and produced within a country during a specified period, measured in tonnes. The indicator reflects the scale of date palm cultivation, agricultural productivity, and the contribution of date farming to the agricultural and horticultural sectors. It is used to assess domestic production capacity, food supply, and the availability of dates for consumption, processing, and export. The data presented by Our World in Data is based on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
What was China Dates Production in 2024?
China Dates Production was 162.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0.1% on 2023.
How has China Dates Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
China Dates Production moved from 163.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 162.3 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−0.8%), an average of −0.1% a year. The series high was 164.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 156.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
Which year had the highest and lowest China Dates Production?
The highest value was 164.4 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 156.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2016.
What does the China Dates Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the annual production of dates harvested from date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera) and recorded as primary agricultural output. It covers dates produced for fresh consumption, drying, food processing, confectionery, syrup production, and export markets. The figures represent harvested production quantities collected from official agricultural statistics and standardized by the FAO to enable international comparison across countries and years. Excluded: The data excludes processed date products such as date syrup, date paste, date sugar, and other value-added products. It also excludes date imports and exports, cultivation area, yield per hectare, post-harvest losses, inventory changes, and informal or unrecorded production not captured in official agricultural statistics. Other fruit crops such as figs, raisins, prunes, and dried fruits are not included in this indicator.
Where does the China Dates Production data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?time=2023&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls&Food=Dates&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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