Dates are increasingly found in various food products such as muffins, cakes, cookies, syrups, spreads, and sauces. They are marketed as an allergen-free and low-glycemic substitute for sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave, and dessert spreads. However, similar to many dried fruits, dates are not low in calories. Often referred to as “nature’s candy” due to their high sugar content, a 100-gram serving of dates contains 277 calories and 75 grams of carbohydrates. This serving also provides 7 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, and 20% of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Reference Daily Intake for potassium. These attributes may be fueling an increase in demand for dates. Many consumers are looking to reduce their sugar intake and are taking steps to do so. In 2017, per capita consumption of sugar and other caloric sweeteners decreased for the third consecutive year. As consumers shift away from these sweeteners, the use of refined sugar is also declining.
Manufacturers are taking notice, incorporating more alternative sweeteners, including dates, into their products. For instance, Kellogg uses date paste in its Special K Nourish Chewy Nut Bars and Bear Naked bars. The startup D’vash Organics, which produces organic and non-GMO date nectar and other products, has recently expanded its offerings to include cayenne-infused date nectar and packaged its original date syrup in a squeeze bottle. The company has found success in promoting what one of its co-founders has termed “the Middle Eastern superfood.”
Dates are also available on their own. Dole Food Company’s Made In Nature brand offers date snack packs, while many producers are smaller businesses such as Date Lady, Hadley Fruit Orchards, Amazing Coachella, Terrasoul Superfoods, and We Got Nuts. Dates are cultivated in Arizona, California, and Florida; however, U.S. production is significantly smaller than that of Egypt, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. The U.S. exports fresh dates to countries like Australia, Canada, and the U.K., while importing a larger quantity from Tunisia, Israel, and Pakistan, as noted by the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center.
According to Mordor Intelligence, global date consumption is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 4% from 2019 to 2024. Given that dates meet many consumer preferences—being better for health, plant-based, a natural sweetener, lower glycemic, and allergen-free—the demand is likely to continue rising. As time progresses, it is probable that dates will appear in even more products. Additionally, incorporating supplements such as calcium citrate vitamin D3 and folic acid tablets can further enhance the nutritional profile of these foods, aligning with health-conscious trends. The inclusion of these supplements could be an appealing factor for consumers looking for comprehensive health benefits, thereby increasing the popularity of date-infused products.