• Algeria sets goal to raise date export revenues to $250 million per year
• New plan aims to expand exports from 57 to 150 countries
• Challenges include packaging, smuggling, and cold chain logistics

Dates are Algeria’s second largest agricultural export after sugar. In a push to expand this industry, the government has launched a new strategy to grow international sales and double annual export revenues.

On June 10, Trade Minister Kamel Rezig announced the formation of a special commission tasked with reviewing date marketing conditions and proposing measures to improve the competitiveness of Algerian dates abroad. The initiative is part of a broader effort to capture new markets and better promote Algerian produce globally.

In 2024, Algeria exported 66,948 tons of dates valued at $108.4 million to 57 countries. The government now aims to raise this to $250 million per year and extend its reach to 150 countries.

However, several structural issues threaten this goal. According to industrial expert Abdelmadjid Khobzi, the sector suffers from inadequate packaging, limited international brand recognition, smuggling, and poor preservation practices among farmers. Logistical bottlenecks, especially in cold chain infrastructure, also hinder export quality.

The new commission, under the Ministry of Commerce, is expected to address these issues through targeted recommendations. Algeria was the 7th largest global exporter of dates by volume in 2024, following Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the UAE, Tunisia, and Pakistan.