The global trade in dates
The date fruit play a significant role in the economy of several countries. But which ones are the main exporters and importers? (by ITC News)
椰棗業的國際貿易
The date fruit is among the sweetest around and is especially popular in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where it is grown in large quantities. The date fruit also has a significant role in Islamic faith. Rich in fibres, minerals and vitamins, dates are traditionally served at iftar tables to break the fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
椰棗是最甜的水果之一，在中東和北非地區尤其受歡迎。椰棗在伊斯蘭信仰中也扮演著重要的角色。富含纖維、礦物質和維生素的椰棗傳統上是在齋月期間用來打破齋戒的。
Dates – which comes in hundreds of varieties – also play a significant role in the economy of many of the countries along the Fertile Crescent. In 2016, the global trade in dates, either fresh or dried, reached $1.4 billion, a five-fold increase since 2001. Moreover, in 2012-2016, the trade in dates increased at an average rate of 14%.
椰棗——這種有數百種品種的水果——在新月沃土地帶的許多國家的經濟中也扮演著重要的角色。在2016年，新鮮的椰棗和幹椰棗的全球貿易額都達到了14億美元，是2001年的5倍。此外，在2012至2016年間，椰棗交易的平均增長率為14%。
In fact, in 2016 the combined exports of dates from the MENA region totalled $1.12 billion, accounting for 77% of the global exports.
事實上，2016年中東北非地區的椰棗出口總額為11.2億美元，佔全球出口總額的77%。
Tunisia is the world’s biggest exporter of dates in value. In 2016 it exported around $227 million worth of dates or 16% of global exports. Iran ($209m), the United Arab Emirates ($160m) and Saudi Arabia ($142m) are other large exporters with exports of dates.
從價值上看，突尼斯是世界上最大的椰棗出口國。2016年，它出口了價值約2.27億美元的椰棗，佔全球出口總額的16%。伊朗(2.09億美元)、阿拉伯聯合酋長國(1.6億美元)和沙特阿拉伯(1.42億美元)是其他出口大國。
However, in terms of volume, Iraq is the biggest exporter of dates, with more than 321,000 tons. The UAE is ranked second with around 276,000 tons, while Iran is ranked third, exporting 209,000 tons.
然而，就出口量而言，伊拉克是最大的椰棗出口國，出口量超過了321000噸。阿聯酋排在第二位，約276000噸，而伊朗排在第三位，出口209000噸。
The world’s biggest importer of dates is India. In 2016, it imported $211m worth of the fruit. The UAE and Morocco are also key markets, with imports valued at $119m and $96m respectively.
世界上最大的椰棗進口國是印度。2016年，它進口這種水果的總價值為2.11億美元。阿聯酋和摩洛哥也是椰棗的主要銷售市場，進口額分別為1.19億美元和9600萬美元。
However, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, Egypt is the largest producer of dates in world with around 17% of global production. Despite its large production, Egypt accounts for less than 3% world exports of dates. At 15% Iran is the second-biggest producer of dates and Saudi Arabia is ranked third, accounting for 14% of production.
然而，根據食品和農業組織的說法，埃及是世界上最大的椰棗生產國，椰棗產量約佔全球總產量的17%。儘管產量很高，但埃及椰棗的出口量卻只佔世界出口量的不到3%。產量佔世界15%的伊朗是第二大椰棗生產國，沙特阿拉伯位居第三，佔世界產量的14%。
According to ITC’s Export Potential Map the markets with greatest potential for date exports in the MENA region are the UAE and Morocco. The combined untapped import potential is estimated to be worth more $235m. This represents opportunities for dates producing countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, who can benefit from zero tariffs under the Greater Arab Free Trade Area agreement.
根據ITC的出口潛力地圖，中東和北非地區最大的出口潛力市場是阿聯酋和摩洛哥。兩國未開發的進口潛力估計價值2.35億美元。這顯示了埃及、沙特阿拉伯和突尼斯等椰棗生產國的機會，這些國家可以從《大阿拉伯自由貿易區協定》(Greater Arab Free Trade Area agreement)的零關稅政策中獲益。
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