Tunisia's date sector is planning to expand and consolidate its export markets, according to Mr. Caesar Ben Arfa, General Manager of the Tunisian Date Interprofessional Group. The group has prepared a promotional program for the 2026-2027 season, aiming to maintain Tunisia's date presence in traditional markets and enhance its position in promising markets. The program also seeks to increase date consumption and derivatives in the local market.
The promotional program takes into account several challenges facing the date sector, including climate change, increased competition in international markets, and rising production, transportation, and logistics costs. The program includes components to ensure continuous monitoring of the export season's preparation and progress, as well as coordination with various stakeholders and professionals to ensure the season's success and enhance the competitiveness of Tunisian dates.
Tunisia's date sector achieved record results in exports, with revenues exceeding TND 1 billion (approximately USD 330 million) for the first time, generated from the promotion of around 160,000 tons, mostly of the renowned Deglet Noor variety. The sector plans to build on this success by concentrating sales points from producer to consumer, a strategy that has been well-received by farmers and consumers alike.
The Tunisian Date Interprofessional Group intends to establish sales spaces for dates directly from producers to consumers in two stages. The first stage will take place immediately after the harvest season, while the second stage will be programmed before Ramadan, aiming to provide dates to consumers at affordable prices and contribute to making the product more accessible to citizens.
The program also includes participation in various local, regional, and national events related to the sector, as well as the implementation of advertising and promotional campaigns targeting the local market. Additionally, the program focuses on promoting date derivatives, which are considered a promising area for creating added value and diversifying Tunisia's offer in external markets.
The Tunisian Date Interprofessional Group plans to participate in the International Food Industries Salon in Africa (IFSA 2027) to promote date derivatives and establish new relationships with international operators and stakeholders. The group 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 sector is also working on 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 focus on the impact of climate change on date production and the need to adapt to these changes.
Key points
- Tunisia's date sector achieved record exports of over TND 1 billion in 2026.
