Tunisia's Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Maritime Fishing, Azzedine Ben Cheikh, has announced that the ministry is working on a comprehensive plan to develop the country's olive oil sector by 2050. The plan aims to respond to economic, climate, and technological changes, and to enhance the sector's contribution to economic growth, food security, and export development. The minister made the announcement during the opening of a national workshop on the development, valorization, and sustainability of the olive oil system in Tunisia.
The minister emphasized the need for a long-term vision that takes into account global economic trends, international market fluctuations, and regional production diversity. He highlighted the importance of strengthening the olive oil system's resilience to climate change, improving resource efficiency, and developing production and transformation techniques. The minister also stressed the need to enhance product quality, value-added, and innovation, as well as to support investment and job creation.
According to the minister, the results of the 2025/2026 season show that the olive oil sector has contributed significantly to the national economy, with production increasing to around 500,000 tons, up from 340,000 tons in the previous season. This represents a 47% increase. Olive oil exports also rose by 50.8% during the first ten months of the 2025/2026 season, reaching around 381,200 tons. The minister noted that these results highlight the need to continue working on enhancing the value-added of olive oil and strengthening its competitiveness in global markets.
The olive oil sector plays a strategic role in Tunisia's agricultural economy, with olive groves covering over 2.1 million hectares, or around 42% of the country's arable land. The sector supports around 309,000 agricultural exploitations and contributes around 10% to the country's agricultural production value and 44% to its agricultural export value. Tunisia's average annual olive oil exports over the past five years have been around 212,000 tons.
The national workshop, organized by the General Directorate of Agricultural Production in coordination with various stakeholders and funded by the World Bank and the Partnership Agreement Support Program (UGP3A), focuses on four main areas: olive production and resilience to climate change, sustainability of production systems, transformation, and valorization of quality and agricultural by-products. The workshop aims to bring together representatives from public institutions, professional organizations, international organizations, financial institutions, and experts to exchange views and experiences.
The workshop seeks to identify challenges, prioritize actions, and develop practical proposals to support the sustainability of the olive oil system and enhance its competitiveness. The sector's development is crucial for Tunisia's economy, and the government's efforts to enhance its performance are expected to have a positive impact on the country's agricultural sector and exports.
The comprehensive plan for the olive oil sector by 2050 is expected to have a significant impact on Tunisia's economy and food security. The plan's success will depend on the collaboration of various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and international organizations. Key points include:
Key points
- The plan aims to enhance the sector's contribution to economic growth and food security.
- The sector's development will focus on sustainability, innovation, and job creation.
- The plan will prioritize the enhancement of product quality and value-added.
