RIYADH: The International Dates Council (IDC) has welcomed Libya as an official member, describing the accession as a valuable addition that strengthens international cooperation in the date palm sector and reinforces the IDC's standing as the global reference body bringing together date producers, exporters, and consumers worldwide.
Libya is home to more than 10 million date palms, according to the Libyan Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Marine Resources, with total annual production of around 180,000 tons — representing approximately 1.8 percent of global output.
The IDC affirmed that Libya's membership will open broad horizons for the country to benefit from the Council's programs in scientific research and supply chain development, furthering the goal of a sustainable and inclusive date palm sector.
The IDC, headquartered in Riyadh, is the leading international organization dedicated to enhancing global cooperation in the date palm sector, working to implement integrated strategies for developing production and international trade and advancing sustainable development across this vital agricultural industry.
Global date production stands at approximately 9.75 million metric tons annually, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The latest FAO record lists Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Iran, Pakistan, and Iraq as the leading producer of dates.
