The 2025-2026 date campaign in Tunisia has concluded with a record-breaking achievement, surpassing 1 billion dinars in export revenue. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the production was estimated at 404,000 tonnes, a 16.3% increase from the previous campaign's 347,000 tonnes. This significant rise in production has contributed to the record export earnings.
As of July, the export data showed 144.1 thousand tonnes of dates sold for 908.4 million dinars, resulting in an average price of 6.30 dinars per kilogramme, or approximately 6,300 dinars per tonne. However, with the recent announcement of total exports exceeding 1 billion dinars, the exact value per tonne for the entire campaign remains to be calculated.
Various reports have estimated the total export volume to be between 150,000 and 160,000 tonnes. Based on these estimates, a rough calculation suggests that the value per tonne could be around 6,452 dinars, assuming 155,000 tonnes and 1 billion dinars in export revenue. However, this calculation is provisional and not the definitive assessment.
The distinction between the export value and the actual profit gained by Tunisia is crucial. The export value represents the average price obtained for each tonne of dates sold abroad, but it does not account for production, packaging, transportation, and marketing costs. The definitive value per tonne will provide a clearer understanding of whether the record production has led to improved valorization of Tunisian dates.
The export data indicates that Tunisia's date industry has achieved a significant milestone, but the precise value per tonne will be a key indicator of the sector's overall performance. With the country's focus on improving the competitiveness of its agricultural products, the date industry's ability to adapt and evolve will be closely watched.
The record production and export revenue are notable achievements for Tunisia's date industry. However, to fully assess the campaign's success, further data analysis is required. The Ministry of Agriculture and relevant authorities will likely release more detailed information in the coming weeks, providing a clearer picture of the industry's performance and prospects.
Key statistics for the 2025-2026 date campaign include a production estimate of 404,000 tonnes, export revenue exceeding 1 billion dinars, and an average price of 6.30 dinars per kilogramme as of July. The final assessment of the campaign's success will depend on the definitive value per tonne, which will be calculated once the complete export data is available.
Key points
- Tunisia's date exports have surpassed 1 billion dinars in revenue.
- The country's date production was estimated at 404,000 tonnes for the 2025-2026 campaign.
- The value per tonne of dates exported remains a crucial indicator of the industry's performance.
