Egypt & Saudi Arabia Lead Indonesia's Date Imports for Ramadan
Official data showed an increase in shipments to meet demand, with Egypt accounting for more than half of the total volume.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia were the leading suppliers of dates to Indonesia in the early months of 2025, as the country ramped up imports ahead of Ramadan. Official data showed a significant increase in shipments to meet growing demand, with Egypt accounting for more than half of the total volume.
In the first two months of the year, Indonesia imported 32,890 tonnes of dates, valued at nearly USD 38.8 million. February alone saw 16,469 tonnes brought into the country, worth almost USD 18.1 million. More than half of those imports—9,240 tonnes, or 56.12%—originated from Egypt. Cumulatively, Egypt supplied 19,390 tonnes of dates between January and February, making up 58.95% of total imports.
Saudi Arabia was Indonesia's second-largest source of dates, exporting 2,690 tonnes in February, or 16.3% of the month's imports. Over the two-month period, the kingdom accounted for nearly 13.9% of Indonesia's total date shipments. The United Arab Emirates, which benefits from a free trade agreement with Indonesia, supplied 1,190 tonnes in February, representing 7.2% of imports. Emirati dates made up nearly 9% of total imports across January and February.
The rise in demand for dates has been attributed not only to Ramadan preparations but also to Indonesia's government-backed free school meal programme, which has been in operation for three months. The initiative, introduced as part of President Prabowo Subianto's campaign promises, typically provides hot lunches for students but includes dates during Ramadan to accommodate those fasting. Non-Muslim students who do not participate in the Ramadan fast continue to receive free meals as part of the programme.
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