A scientific meeting was organized by the International Olive Festival in Mahdia, Tunisia, to discuss ways to enhance the country's olive oil sector, particularly for export. The event took place at the Higher Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Mahdia. The meeting aimed to bring together experts and stakeholders to share experiences and discuss mechanisms to improve the quality of Tunisian olive oil.
The director of the 45th edition of the Mahdia Olive Festival, Ashraf Ben Abdessalam, stated that the meeting was intended to create a platform for exchanging experiences and discussing ways to upgrade the quality of Tunisian olive oil. He emphasized the importance of improving the quality of olive oil to increase its competitiveness in the global market.
Farouk Ben Salah, an expert with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, highlighted the success story of the "Weslati" olive oil variety in the Kairouan region. He noted that the development plan for this product included improving quality, marketing, and launching specific brand labels for single-variety oils. Additionally, it was integrated into the tourism economy through the creation of a tourist circuit.
Ben Salah called for the replication of this experience in the Mahdia region, which is also known for its distinctive local products. He emphasized the importance of developing a similar plan to improve the quality and marketing of olive oil in the region. This would help to increase the competitiveness of Tunisian olive oil in the global market.
Dhouha Mizonni Chouturou, an international expert in developing olive oil markets, stated that the current situation offers Tunisia a significant opportunity to strengthen its position in consumer markets, particularly through packaged olive oil. She identified North America as the primary consumer market, with promising prospects in Asian and Gulf markets, especially in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting provided a platform for experts to discuss the challenges facing the Tunisian olive oil sector and potential solutions. They emphasized the importance of improving quality, marketing, and branding to increase the competitiveness of Tunisian olive oil. The event also highlighted the need for a comprehensive strategy to develop the sector and enhance its contribution to the national economy.
The International Olive Festival in Mahdia aims to promote Tunisian olive oil and provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss issues related to the sector. The festival is an important event in the region, attracting experts, producers, and consumers. It provides an opportunity for networking and knowledge sharing, which can help to drive the development of the sector.
Key points
- The meeting aimed to improve the quality and competitiveness of Tunisian olive oil in the global market.
- The "Weslati" olive oil variety in the Kairouan region was cited as a success story in terms of quality improvement and marketing.
- North America is identified as a primary consumer market for Tunisian olive oil, with promising prospects in Asian and Gulf markets.
