Tunisian dates exports surge

Tunisian date exports have witnessed a significant growth entailing a surge in revenues.
Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, who made the announcement reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to addressing challenges in the sector. He emphasized the importance of the national promotion program to bolster the competitiveness of Tunisian dates in existing markets while tapping into new ones.

During a coordination meeting on the national program for the promotion of the date sector, on December 17, the minister outlined plans for exploratory missions to promising markets, including Asian countries such as China and Indonesia, as well as Northern Europe. These efforts aim to expand Tunisia’s export footprint and counter increasing international competition.

Abid stressed the need for thorough preparation and the development of a robust promotion strategy to enhance the global presence of Tunisian dates in both traditional and emerging markets. He noted the ministry’s readiness to collaborate on all issues affecting the sector to ensure its growth and sustainability.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the value of date exports grew by 33.5%, reaching 40.805 million dinars (approximately $12.9 million) during the current campaign, compared to 30.552 million dinars (approximately $9.7 million) in the previous season.

Broader improvements in Tunisia’s food trade balance were also noted. During the first eleven months of 2024, the country recorded a surplus of approximately $426 million, compared to a deficit of about $227 million in the same period of 2023. This turnaround was attributed to a rise in olive oil and date exports, coupled with a decline in cereal and sugar imports, as reported by the National Observatory of Agriculture on December 16.