This year, Tunisia saw a notable increase in olive oil production, as the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries reported that olive production for the 2024-2025 season is expected to reach around 340 thousand tons, an increase of 55% compared to the last. season.
This increase in production results from improved climatic conditions and increased use of irrigated crops, which contributed to approximately 60% of national production.
In this context, olive oil prices for the next season are between 18 and 22 dinars per liter, reflecting relative stability compared to previous seasons, with expectations that oil prices Tunisian olives will be more competitive on world markets.
The percentage of national olive oil production is distributed between the different Tunisian regions, with the center representing 35% of national production, followed by the states of Sidi Bouzid and Kairouan with 31%. While the south will contribute 25%, and the coast 24%. It also appears that irrigated plants will be the most influential element this season, as they contributed around 60% of production, reflecting the importance of switching to modern agricultural techniques to improve productivity.
Regarding exports, Tunisia achieved a qualitative leap in the export of olive oil, since its oil exports during the period from November 2023 to September 2024 amounted to approximately 190,122 tons, achieving revenue estimated at 5,025 million dinars. According to statistics, exports recorded an increase of 58% compared to the 2023 campaign, which reflects a notable improvement in the quality of Tunisian oil and an expansion of its external markets.
Tunisia is considered one of the largest producers of olive oil in the world, ranking second in the world after Spain, which tops the list of producing countries with production volume estimated at around 1.25 million tonnes. In third position come Turkey, then Greece and Italy. Expectations also indicate that global olive oil production in the 2025 season will reach 3 million tons, an increase of 20% from the previous season.
Despite these successes, the Tunisian olive oil industry faces challenges related to sustainability and competitiveness in global markets. Organic olive oil is experiencing a decrease in exported quantities of 26.8%, which requires more support and marketing of the Tunisian organic product, which continues to enjoy a good reputation in many markets.
The olive oil industry in Tunisia faces promising prospects thanks to increased production and competitive prices, as further increases in olive oil exports are expected with increased dependence on irrigated agriculture.
In this context, challenges related to sustainability and marketing in global markets remain an important factor that requires more attention to confirm Tunisia’s position as one of the world’s leading producers of olive oil.
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