Tunisia's date industry is set to expand and consolidate its export markets, with a new promotional program for the 2026-2027 season. The program, announced by Caesarean Ben Arfa, General Manager of the Tunisian Date Producers' Union, aims to maintain Tunisia's presence in traditional markets and enhance its presence in promising markets. The program also seeks to increase date consumption and derivatives in the local market.
The program takes into account several challenges facing the date industry, including climate change, increased competition in international markets, and rising production, transportation, and logistics costs. To address these challenges, the program includes components to ensure continuous monitoring of the export season and coordination with various stakeholders to ensure the success of the season and enhance the competitiveness of Tunisian dates.
Tunisia's date exports achieved record results, exceeding TND 1 billion in revenue for the first time, thanks to the export of around 160,000 tons, mostly of the renowned Deglet Noor variety. The new program builds on this success, with a focus on developing the local market and promoting date consumption. The program includes the establishment of sales points from producer to consumer in several regions of the country.
The program also includes participation in local, regional, and national events related to the sector, as well as the implementation of advertising and promotional campaigns to promote date consumption in Tunisia and highlight the role of the union in developing the date industry and supporting professionals. The program also focuses on promoting date derivatives, which are seen as a promising area for creating added value and diversifying Tunisia's export offer.
The union will participate in the International Food Industries Salon in Africa (IFSA 2027) to promote date derivatives and establish new relationships with international operators and players. The program also aims to develop exports of date derivatives, such as date paste, date syrup, and date powder, particularly in European, North American, and Gulf markets.
The program includes a external component, which involves participating in international fairs and events in traditional and promising markets, to maintain existing commercial relationships and explore new markets for Tunisian dates and derivatives. The program also aims to diversify export destinations and develop promotional tools to highlight the quality of Tunisian dates and their ability to meet consumer and market requirements.
The union is also launching a strategic study for the date sector up to 2055, which will address the sector's specificities, future challenges, and ways to address them. The study will also inform the development of a three-year promotional plan, with clear objectives for the local market and export markets. The program aims to support the Tunisian date industry and enhance its competitiveness in the face of climate change and international competition.
Key points
- Tunisia aims to expand and consolidate its date export markets.
- The program includes components to promote date consumption in Tunisia and develop the local market.
- The program also focuses on promoting date derivatives and diversifying Tunisia's export offer.
