An Econometrics Analysis of External Demand for Egyptian Dates in the Most Important Global Markets and the Environmental and Media Role

Date palm cultivation plays a pivotal role in achieving environmental sustainability, contributing to combating desertification, stabilizing soil, and providing an agricultural environment that supports biodiversity. Palm waste is also a valuable environmental resource that can be invested in various industries, such as animal feed, bioenergy, and handicrafts, promoting a circular economy and reducing the negative environmental impact of agricultural waste. Egyptian date exports have witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, particularly as the country seeks to open new markets in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Several government initiatives have been launched, such as the Date Value Chain Development Project and the Farmers Support Program, which aims to improve production quality and enhance packaging standards in line with international specifications. However, the export sector faces challenges related to the quality of some varieties, traditional harvesting methods, and the need for further innovation in international marketing. Although Egypt possesses distinct natural and economic potential for producing high-quality dates with a variety of varieties, external demand does not reflect the true potential of this sector. The total value of date exports in Egypt reached a low of $3.0 million in 2007 and a high of $88.2 million in 2023, with an average of approximately $37.9 million during the study period (2007-2023). The study of external demand functions also revealed that the price elasticity of demand was less than one in the Moroccan, Indonesian, Bangladeshi, and Emirati markets, making Egyptian dates a necessary commodity for