Fruit date market - statistics & facts
For thousands of years, dates have been collected for their sweet fruit and remain a staple food for many places around the Mediterranean and worldwide. Dates are the most valuable product in the worldwide market for dried fruits. Over a million metric tons of dates were produced in 2022/2023, just behind raisins in terms of overall quantity produced. Iraq, Algeria, and Iran harvest the most date fruits worldwide. These dried fruits are used as a honey replacement, a ceremonial delicacy, and in sweet and savory dishes.
