Commodity Guide

Dates &

Dried Fruits

Premium dates, figs, apricots and dried fruit sourcing guide — explore the finest varieties, top producing regions, and export compliance for the world's leading markets.

8

Products covered

12+

Sourcing countries

10

Certifications

6

Destination markets

🌴

$12B+ annual trade

Annual trade volume

HS 0804.10

Medjool Dates

~$2.5B/yr

The "king of dates" — large, soft and caramel-sweet. Premium variety for gifting and retail.

Top sourcing countries

🇲🇦Morocco🇯🇴Jordan🇮🇱Israel🇺🇸U.S🇸🇦Saudi Arabia

Certifications

GlobalG.A.P.
Halal
Kosher
+1
HS 0804.10

Deglet Nour Dates

~$1.8B/yr

Semi-dry, golden and mildly sweet variety. The most exported date variety in the world.

Top sourcing countries

🇩🇿Algeria🇹🇳Tunisia🇱🇾Libya🇮🇶Iraq

Certifications

Halal
GlobalG.A.P.
ISO 22000
+1
HS 0804.10

Ajwa Dates

~$400M/yr

Dark, soft and nutritious dates from Medina. Highly prized in Islamic markets.

Top sourcing countries

🇸🇦Saudi Arabia🇦🇪UAE

Certifications

Halal
ISO 22000
HS 0804.20

Dried Figs

~$900M/yr

Sun-dried and oven-dried figs in various grades. Turkey dominates global supply.

Top sourcing countries

🇹🇷Turkey🇮🇷Iran🇲🇦Morocco🇪🇸Spain

Certifications

GlobalG.A.P.
Halal
EU Organic
HS 0813.10

Dried Apricots

~$750M/yr

Sulfured and natural sun-dried apricots. Turkey and Uzbekistan are dominant suppliers.

Top sourcing countries

🇹🇷Turkey🇮🇷Iran🇦🇫Afghanistan🇵🇰Pakistan

Certifications

GlobalG.A.P.
Halal
EU Organic
+1
HS 0806.20

Raisins & Sultanas

~$1.2B/yr

Thompson seedless, sultanas, golden raisins and muscat raisins for retail and food industry.

Top sourcing countries

🇹🇷Turkey🇺🇸U.S🇮🇷Iran🇦🇺Australia🇿🇦South Africa

Certifications

GlobalG.A.P.
Halal
Kosher
+1
HS 0813.20

Prunes (Dried Plums)

~$600M/yr

Soft, moist dried plums used in confectionery, health foods and direct consumption.

Top sourcing countries

🇺🇸U.S🇨🇱Chile🇫🇷France🇦🇷Argentina

Certifications

GlobalG.A.P.
EU Organic
USDA Organic
HS 2008.99

Date Pastes & Syrups

~$300M/yr

Date paste, syrup (dibs), powder and liquid sugar used as natural sweeteners in food manufacturing.

Top sourcing countries

🇸🇦Saudi Arabia🇦🇪UAE🇮🇶Iraq🇹🇳Tunisia

Certifications

Halal
ISO 22000
HACCP

Certification Reference

Halal

Halal Certification

Mandatory for Gulf, Middle East and Southeast Asian markets. Covers processing, handling and packaging.

Verify
Kosher

Kosher Certification

Certifies food meets Jewish dietary laws. Broadens access to US, Israeli and diaspora markets.

Verify
EU Organic

EU Organic Certification (EC 848/2018)

Mandatory EU organic label. Required for "organic" labeling in European markets.

Verify
USDA Organic

USDA National Organic Program

Required for "organic" labeling in the United States.

Verify
GlobalG.A.P.

Global Good Agricultural Practices

Farm-level pre-harvest standard. Required by many European retail buyers.

Verify
HACCP

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points

Preventive food safety system. Required for most processed food exports.

Verify
ISO 22000

ISO 22000 Food Safety Management

International standard for food safety management systems.

Verify
Fairtrade

Fairtrade International Certification

Ensures fair prices and decent conditions for small-scale date farmers.

Verify
BRCGS

BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety

Required by most UK and European retail buyers.

Verify
Non-GMO Project

Non-GMO Project Verified

Third-party verification that products comply with the Non-GMO Project Standard.

Verify