After completion of the case study, the students will be able to gain an understanding of the global dynamics of the date market and the factors that influence agricultural exports;
Be able to apply analytical frameworks like SWOT, PESTEL and Porter’s five forces to evaluate the competitive position of an industry and
Develop strategic recommendations for enhancing the export potential of agricultural products, focusing on value addition, market diversification and infrastructure development.
This case study focuses on Ahmed, a second-generation date farmer in Khairpur, Pakistan, who navigated the challenges and opportunities in the local and global date markets. Despite Pakistan’s position as one of the world’s leading date producers, the country contributed less than 2% to global exports due to a lack of value addition, modern processing and branding. This case study explores strategies for overcoming these hurdles, such as investing in value-added products, obtaining organic certifications, enhancing infrastructure and diversifying into emerging markets like China and Russia. It serves as a practical platform for students to apply strategic models like SWOT analysis, Porter’s five forces and value chain analysis to real-world challenges in international trade and entrepreneurship.
This case study is suitable for undergraduate students.
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
CSS 11: Strategy.
