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)
椰枣业的国际贸易
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.
椰枣是最甜的水果之一，在中东和北非地区尤其受欢迎。椰枣在伊斯兰信仰中也扮演着重要的角色。富含纤维、矿物质和维生素的椰枣传统上是在斋月期间用来打破斋戒的。
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%.
椰枣——这种有数百种品种的水果——在新月沃土地带的许多国家的经济中也扮演着重要的角色。在2016年，新鲜的椰枣和干椰枣的全球贸易额都达到了14亿美元，是2001年的5倍。此外，在2012至2016年间，椰枣交易的平均增长率为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.
事实上，2016年中东北非地区的椰枣出口总额为11.2亿美元，占全球出口总额的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.
从价值上看，突尼斯是世界上最大的椰枣出口国。2016年，它出口了价值约2.27亿美元的椰枣，占全球出口总额的16%。伊朗(2.09亿美元)、阿拉伯联合酋长国(1.6亿美元)和沙特阿拉伯(1.42亿美元)是其他出口大国。
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，伊拉克是最大的椰枣出口国，出口量超过了321000吨。阿联酋排在第二位，约276000吨，而伊朗排在第三位，出口209000吨。
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.
世界上最大的椰枣进口国是印度。2016年，它进口这种水果的总价值为2.11亿美元。阿联酋和摩洛哥也是椰枣的主要销售市场，进口额分别为1.19亿美元和9600万美元。
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，根据食品和农业组织的说法，埃及是世界上最大的椰枣生产国，椰枣产量约占全球总产量的17%。尽管产量很高，但埃及椰枣的出口量却只占世界出口量的不到3%。产量占世界15%的伊朗是第二大椰枣生产国，沙特阿拉伯位居第三，占世界产量的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.
根据ITC的出口潜力地图，中东和北非地区最大的出口潜力市场是阿联酋和摩洛哥。两国未开发的进口潜力估计价值2.35亿美元。这显示了埃及、沙特阿拉伯和突尼斯等椰枣生产国的机会，这些国家可以从《大阿拉伯自由贸易区协定》(Greater Arab Free Trade Area agreement)的零关税政策中获益。
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