Assessment of current and future status of date exports from Iran to Indonesia
Saeid, Masoumeh (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025112028748
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025112028748
Tiivistelmä
This Thesis examines the current and future status of Iranian date exports to Indonesia. Indonesia as the target market in this study is the most populous Muslim country in the world, this country is considered as one of the most important halal food markets, and Iran, with its advantage in date production, has a high potential to develop exports to this market. This study aims to examine export trends, identify tariff and non-tariff barriers, and estimate untapped export potential by using data from ITC (International Trade Centre).
This research method was conducted in a mixed manner. In the quantitative part, secondary data on international trade from the ITC and FAO databases were analysed, and in the qualitative part, interviews were conducted with 24 exporters, logistics experts, and relevant officials. The combination of these two approaches has enabled the simultaneous analysis of statistical, institutional, and structural dimensions of exports.
The findings show that Iran’s comparative advantage index (RCA) has been above 30 in all years of the study, But Iran's share of the Indonesian date market is small. In addition, Iran’s date export potential is about $46 million by 2029, while Iran has only utilized about 5 percent of its potential capacity in 2023.
Qualitative analyses showed that complex halal certification requirements, cumbersome administrative and international banking sanctions and processes, lack of appropriate logistics infrastructure, poor packaging and branding, and lack of awareness of Indonesian consumer tastes are among the most important barriers to export development. In contrast, increasing demand for products that are halal, the growth of online food markets, and the possibility of concluding bilateral trade agreements with Indonesia are important opportunities for expanding Iran’s date exports.
This research method was conducted in a mixed manner. In the quantitative part, secondary data on international trade from the ITC and FAO databases were analysed, and in the qualitative part, interviews were conducted with 24 exporters, logistics experts, and relevant officials. The combination of these two approaches has enabled the simultaneous analysis of statistical, institutional, and structural dimensions of exports.
The findings show that Iran’s comparative advantage index (RCA) has been above 30 in all years of the study, But Iran's share of the Indonesian date market is small. In addition, Iran’s date export potential is about $46 million by 2029, while Iran has only utilized about 5 percent of its potential capacity in 2023.
Qualitative analyses showed that complex halal certification requirements, cumbersome administrative and international banking sanctions and processes, lack of appropriate logistics infrastructure, poor packaging and branding, and lack of awareness of Indonesian consumer tastes are among the most important barriers to export development. In contrast, increasing demand for products that are halal, the growth of online food markets, and the possibility of concluding bilateral trade agreements with Indonesia are important opportunities for expanding Iran’s date exports.