Falling to a series low
UAE Dates Production moved from 402.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 333.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−17.2%), an average of −2.1% a year. The series high was 411 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the low 333.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
What UAE Dates Production shows
UAE Dates Production was 333.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 5.2% on 2023. The UAE 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, agricultural development, and the contribution of date cultivation to the UAE's horticultural sector.
A 18.8% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2024) is 77.33 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −16.1% in 2017.
Ranks 7 of 17 countries covered
Among the 17 countries in this dataset, UAE ranks 7 for 2024, behind Saudi Arabia (1,928 Thousand Tonnes) and Egypt (1,750 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 3.4% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
UAE 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 Trough | 333.6 | −5.2% |
| 2023 | 351.8 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | 351.4 | −8.2% |
| 2021 | 383 | +9% |
| 2020 | 351.5 | +3% |
| 2019 | 341.2 | −1.1% |
| 2018 | 345.1 | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 344.7 | −16.1% |
| 2016Peak | 411 | +2% |
| 2015 | 402.9 | — |
Regional context
How UAE compares in Asia
Dates Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. UAE 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, dates production experienced moderate fluctuations throughout the study period while maintaining relatively stable output. Production increased from 402.94 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 410.96 thousand tonnes in 2016, the highest level recorded during the study period, before declining to 344.71 thousand tonnes in 2017 and 345.12 thousand tonnes in 2018. Output decreased slightly to 341.25 thousand tonnes in 2019, recovered to 351.46 thousand tonnes in 2020, and increased further to 382.99 thousand tonnes in 2021. Production subsequently moderated to 351.43 thousand tonnes in 2022, 351.75 thousand tonnes in 2023, and 333.63 thousand tonnes in 2024, representing the lowest production level during the study period. The overall trend reflects a mature dates industry supported by established cultivation systems despite periodic production variations.
The dataset provides valuable insights into UAE 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, producers, exporters, policymakers, investors, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders can use the dataset to evaluate production performance, compare annual output, identify productivity trends, optimize cultivation planning, and strengthen supply chain efficiency. The data is also valuable for supporting agricultural innovation, improving production efficiency, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable development across the UAE's horticulture and food processing sectors.
- Indicator
- Dates Production
- Country
- UAE
- 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 UAE 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 UAE Dates Production in 2024?
UAE Dates Production was 333.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 5.2% on 2023.
How has UAE Dates Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
UAE Dates Production moved from 402.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 333.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−17.2%), an average of −2.1% a year. The series high was 411 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the low 333.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
Which year had the highest and lowest UAE Dates Production?
The highest value was 411 Thousand Tonnes in 2016 and the lowest was 333.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
What does the UAE 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 UAE 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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