The Fruit of Ancient Power
Dates are a richly textured, naturally sweet fruit widely valued in the food industry for their high content of natural sugars, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants.
They are typically marketed as fresh or semi-dried, depending on the variety and processing methods.
Their stable texture and natural shelf life make them well-suited for industrial use — both for further processing and retail packaging.
Originating from the Middle East, dates are now produced and exported by several countries with warm and arid climates.
According to average export data from the past five years, the leading exporters of dates are: Iraq (18%), the United Arab Emirates (16%), Saudi Arabia (13%), Iran (13%), Tunisia (10%), Pakistan (9%), and Israel (5%).
