The leading country in importing dates globally is India.
As the world’s largest consumer of dates, India imports thousands of metric tons annually, primarily from the Middle East.
Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE are the top exporters to the Indian market.
Dates are especially popular during religious festivals like Ramadan and Diwali.
India's growing population and increasing health awareness have also boosted demand.
The country's import value for dates has steadily climbed over the years.
Beyond India, countries like Morocco, Indonesia, and Bangladesh are also major importers.
These imports support local demand as domestic production is minimal.
India’s central role in the date market underlines its importance in the global agri-trade network.