UAE partnership catalyses transformative advancement in Egypt’s date palm sector
Cooperation spanning over a decade has elevated Egypt's date industry through innovation in cultivation, processing and export, positioning the nation as a global leader in premium date production
The strategic partnership between the United Arab Emirates and Egypt has engendered a profound transformation within Egypt’s esteemed date palm and dates sector, delivering measurable progress across cultivation methodologies, processing techniques, packaging innovation and international export channels since 2015.
Dr Amgad El Kadi, Executive Director of the Food and Agro-Industries Technology Center under Egypt’s Ministry of Industry and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Ninth Egyptian International Dates Festival, has articulated the substantial impact of this collaborative endeavour. The partnership, facilitated through the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, has catalysed the development of Egypt’s comprehensive national strategy for sectoral growth, formulated in concert with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Egypt’s prominence in global date production remains commanding, commanding approximately 20 per cent of worldwide output. The nation’s export achievements reflect this preeminence, with dates valued at US$160 million successfully exported throughout 2025 to more than 60 international markets, demonstrating the sector’s expanding global reach and commercial vitality.
The collaborative initiatives have encompassed an expansive programme of infrastructure enhancement and institutional support. Noteworthy developments include the comprehensive upgrading of the government-owned dates factory in Siwa and the Dates Complex situated in New Valley Governorate. The establishment of refrigerated date storage facilities within the Bahariya Oasis represents a significant advancement in preservation capabilities, whilst sustained support for Egyptian producers’ participation in international exhibitions has amplified visibility and commercial opportunity within global markets.
Organisational support has further extended to the facilitation of educational study tours and the provision of technical assistance enabling farms and factories to attain internationally recognised quality certifications. These multifaceted interventions have collectively strengthened the competitive positioning of Egyptian dates within international commerce, unlocking access to previously untapped export markets and substantially augmenting the value proposition of date products throughout the supply chain.
The festival, held within the Siwa Oasis until 16 October, represents a collaborative achievement, jointly organised by Egypt’s Ministry of Industry, Marsa Matrouh Governorate, and the UAE’s Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation. This partnership exemplifies the broader commitment to fostering sustainable agricultural and industrial development across the region, delivering enduring prosperity for producers and consumers alike.
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)