The dates market and date palm industry across Africa and the Middle East continues to expand, supported by rising demand and increasing investment in processing, packaging, and export development. In 2025, the Middle East & Africa accounted for a market size of $27.89 billion, representing 85.28% of the global dates market, highlighting the region’s dominant position in global supply and trade.

Egypt stands out as a major regional powerhouse, combining world-leading production capacity with growing export potential and a strong focus on value-added development. With large-scale cultivation projects — including plans to plant over 2.3 million palm trees in Toshka & East Owaynat and 2.5 million date palms in the Western Desert — Egypt continues to strengthen its position as a strategic sourcing and trade hub for the international dates market.

Dates Africa is a dedicated B2B platform for the dates and date palm industry, bringing together date producers, exporters, processors, buyers, and distributors from across Africa, the Middle East, and international markets.

Held alongside Food Africa, the continent’s leading food & beverage trade exhibition, Dates Africa connects the full value chain — from date palm cultivation and post-harvest handling to processing, packaging, storage, and export development.

The exhibition offers direct access to qualified trade buyers, importers, wholesalers, retailers, and key decision-makers actively sourcing new products, partnerships, and business opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic dates markets.

• Access High-Value Buyers: Meet importers, distributors, and bulk buyers from Africa, the Middle East, and global markets
• Expand Export Opportunities: Position your brand in a fast-growing dates trade market
• Showcase Your Products: Present premium dates varieties, organic products, and value-added innovations
• Build Strategic Partnerships: Connect with industry leaders and key stakeholders
• Leverage Co-Location: Benefit from the strong visitor base of Food Africa