The Competitiveness of Saudi Dates in Selected European Union Countries
Abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate the competitiveness of Saudi dates in the selected European Union countries. The Study used descriptive and quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis includes export trends. The quantitative measures were Export Market Shares, Marketing Penetration Rate, and the Price and quantity Competitiveness Indices. The study investigated dates' exports to the most important EU countries that imported Saudi dates during the period (2000-2011), which were the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The results showed that the exported quantities of dates to the three EU countries almost follow the same trend. They all fluctuated annually mostly at the same direction. Moreover, it shows that the market share of Saudi Dates in the selected EU countries was low and fluctuating during the studied period, since most of Saudi Dates Exports are directed to other countries. On the other hand, the Market Penetration Rate in the three countries was more than one, this was caused by the fact that the total imports in these countries were greater than the apparent consumption or/and the existence of re-exports of dates in these countries. Saudi Arabia has competitive advantage in production compared to all the competing selected countries. The price competitive Index (PC i) was zero for the first competing countries group (Iran and Pakistan), one for UK and Germany and 0.54 for France. This means that Saudi Arabia does not have Prices Competitive Advantage with the first competing countries group, but have competitive advantage in prices in the second group of competing countries. Saudi Arabia has competitive advantage in production compared to all the competing selected countries, since the value of Competitive Production Index is 0.84 in the first group, and one for the second group countries (Tunisia, Algeria, Israel and the United States of America). Moreover, Saudi Arabia does not have Prices Competitive Advantage with the first competing countries group; but has a competitive advantage in prices for the second competing countries group.
Publication year 2014
Pages 68 - 76
Organization Name
serial title Agricultural Science Research Journal
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    Al-Mulhim King Faisal University, The Economics of Date Palm Chair and Derivatives, Al-Ahsa 31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    Fahad King Faisal University, The Economics of Date Palm Chair and Derivatives, Al-Ahsa 31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    Mohammad Samir King Faisal University, The Economics of Date Palm Chair and Derivatives, Al-Ahsa 31982, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Publication Type Journal
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