Egypt's produces 21% of world's dates: FAO

CAIRO – 15 August 2020: A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) showcases that Egypt's annual production of dates surpasses 1.7 million tons contributing in global production standing at eight million tons by 21 percent.

Yet, Egypt's rank in dates export market is not as high because of the weak value chain starting from the cultivation of palm trees until packaging and distribution.

The organization highlighted the role of cooperation between United Nations Development Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation.

All such entities implement a strategy focusing on the quality of production, marketing, export, research and innovation, packaging, and manufacturing like producing date molasses and date honey. That's in addition to waste recycling, and reinforcement of the structural framework. The strategy is being accomplished through a number of projects.

The strategy raised exports from 38,000 tons in 2016 to 160,000 tons in 2020. The average price per ton rose from $1,000 to $1,500 achieving revenues worth $450 million up from $180 million tons.