ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (ABC): Pakistan exported fresh and dried dates worth approximately $56.57 million to 45 international markets during FY2025-26, with total shipments reaching 138.74 million kilograms.
According to official export figures available with Wealth Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the largest buyer in both value and volume terms. Germany and the United Kingdom followed as the second- and third-largest export markets by value.
Dried dates accounted for the largest share of export earnings, generating $40.10 million from shipments of 115.44 million kilograms. This represented approximately 70.89% of total date export earnings.
Meanwhile, fresh dates contributed $16.47 million from shipments of 23.31 million kilograms, accounting for the remaining 29.11%.
UAE accounts for nearly 67% of date export earnings
The UAE remained Pakistan’s leading export destination for dates during FY2025-26.
It purchased fresh and dried dates worth approximately $37.87 million, with combined shipments reaching 113.03 million kilograms.
The UAE alone accounted for nearly 66.94% of Pakistan’s total date export earnings.
Dried dates dominated exports to the UAE, generating $36.93 million. Fresh dates contributed another $933,560.
Germany ranked as the second-largest destination, importing Pakistani dates worth approximately $4.30 million. Shipments to Germany totalled 4.63 million kilograms.
The United Kingdom followed with purchases worth $3.00 million, involving 3.27 million kilograms.
Together, Germany and the UK generated approximately $7.30 million, representing 12.90% of Pakistan’s total date export earnings.
Australia and Turkey among leading buyers
Australia and Turkey also emerged as important destinations for Pakistani dates during the financial year.
Australia imported fresh and dried dates worth approximately $1.90 million, with shipments totalling 2.01 million kilograms.
Meanwhile, Turkey purchased fresh dates worth $1.45 million, involving 2.10 million kilograms.
Although Turkey imported a larger quantity than Australia, its purchases generated lower export earnings.
The United States and Canada also remained important markets for Pakistani dates.
Exports to the United States reached approximately $983,982, with shipments of 969,064 kilograms.
Similarly, Canada imported 938,001 kilograms of Pakistani dates worth about $973,320.
Combined export earnings from these two North American markets stood at approximately $1.96 million.
European and Asian markets contribute to exports
Italy and Bangladesh also contributed to Pakistan’s date export earnings during FY2025-26.
Italy purchased Pakistani dates worth approximately $945,209, while Bangladesh imported consignments valued at around $910,481.
Fresh dates dominated exports to Italy, accounting for $941,768 in earnings.
In contrast, Bangladesh primarily imported dried dates, generating approximately $908,781 in export earnings.
Other destinations included Denmark, Japan, South Africa and Poland.
Denmark imported Pakistani dates worth approximately $632,246, followed by Japan at $537,076.
Meanwhile, exports to South Africa generated $503,934, while Poland contributed $463,882.
These figures highlight the geographical reach of Pakistan’s date exports across several international markets.
Five markets generate nearly 86% of export earnings
The official figures show that Pakistani dates reached 45 distinct international markets during FY2025-26.
Fresh dates were exported to 38 destinations, while dried dates reached 24 markets. Of these, 17 destinations imported both forms.
The five leading markets — the UAE, Germany, the UK, Australia and Turkey — collectively generated approximately $48.52 million.
These destinations accounted for 85.77% of Pakistan’s total date export earnings.
The remaining 40 markets contributed approximately $8.05 million.
The figures highlight Pakistan’s growing geographical reach in the international date trade, with shipments reaching Europe, North America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
However, they also show that export earnings remain heavily concentrated in a relatively small number of markets, particularly the UAE.
This concentration highlights the potential importance of expanding market access and strengthening export diversification to support Pakistan’s date industry.
