Value Chain Analysis and Potential Competitive Advantage of the Date Palm Sector in Qatar: Challenges, Opportunities, and Key Indicators

Abstract

The study aims to assess the date palm value chain and potential competitiveness of the Qatari date palm sector in the international market using three indicators: Market Shares (MS), Revealed Comparative Advantages (RCA), and Trade Balance Indexes (TBI). The Qatari date palm sector is not considered competitive in the international date palm market, as indicated by the low RCA and negative TBI indicators. The MS for date palm products of Qatar has been low and unstable since 2000. The diversification of date varieties and greater orientation towards modern plantations are the most important strengths of the date value chain in Qatar. Increasing competition in regional and global date markets is the major threat to the date sector in Qatar. A profitable and competitive date palm sector could be achieved by focusing on high yields and commercial varieties to ensure higher date palm productivity, as well as the adoption of quality standards to meet international market demands and requirements.