Tunisia has achieved a significant milestone in its agricultural exports, with the country's date sales reaching a record high of over $300 million during the 2025-2026 season. According to Kaïsar Ben Arfa, director general of the Groupement interprofessionnel des dattes (GID), the country's date exports have surpassed the threshold of 1 billion dinars ($300 million). This achievement comes after Tunisia's olive oil exports also reached a record high.
The country's date exports have seen a substantial increase, with 160,000 tonnes of dates exported during the 2025-2026 season, compared to 125,000 tonnes during the previous season. This represents a 33% increase in quantity. The value of date exports has also increased, from 830 million dinars in the 2024-2025 season to over 1 billion dinars in the 2025-2026 season. Ben Arfa made the announcement on Express FM.
Tunisia's date exports are driven by a significant infrastructure for date packaging and export. The country has 200 exporting companies and 120 packaging stations. The main markets for Tunisian dates are Germany, which purchased 16,000 tonnes, Italy (19,000 tonnes), and France (14,000 tonnes). The country's date production was 400,000 tonnes in 2024.
In addition to these markets, Tunisia also exports dates to other countries, including India, the United States, and Turkey. The performance of the date sector is accompanied by that of the olive oil sector, which also saw a significant increase in exports. During the 2025-2026 season, Tunisia exported 368,000 tonnes of olive oil, a 50% increase compared to the 2024-2025 season.
The value of Tunisia's olive oil exports during the 2025-2026 season was over 4.6 billion dinars ($1.5 billion). This achievement is significant for the country's economy, which has been seeking to increase its agricultural exports. The country's agricultural sector has been performing well in recent years.
The success of Tunisia's date and olive oil exports is a positive sign for the country's economy. The country's exports have been increasing in recent years, driven by a combination of factors, including investment in infrastructure and a focus on quality products. The government has been seeking to support the agricultural sector through various initiatives.
The record date exports achieved by Tunisia in the 2025-2026 season demonstrate the country's potential in the agricultural sector. With the right investments and policies, the country can continue to increase its exports and achieve economic growth.
Key points
- Tunisia's date exports reached a record $300 million in the 2025-2026 season.
- The country's date exports increased by 33% in quantity compared to the previous season.
- Tunisia's olive oil exports also reached a record high, with 368,000 tonnes exported during the 2025-2026 season.
