The Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries is organizing the first national conference on dates in Tozeur on October 8, 2026. The event aims to address the challenges facing the date sector, including high production costs, and to discuss ways to improve marketing, storage, and valuation of Tunisian dates in national and international markets. This initiative comes as the sector shows positive indicators, with a record production of nearly 404,000 tons in the 2025-2026 season.
The record production includes 347,000 tons of the premium "Deglet Noor" variety. The financial returns from date exports have exceeded 1,000 million dinars, with continued expansion into European and Asian markets. Despite this performance, the sector faces structural and logistical challenges, including high costs of inputs and maintenance, transportation, and storage difficulties, as well as the impact of climate change.
The conference will provide a platform for dialogue and consultation among various stakeholders in the sector to discuss the main challenges facing the industry. The event is part of the efforts to support the concerns of date producers and promote the agricultural sector. Tunisia's date sector has a significant geographical presence, with an estimated 60.8 thousand hectares of palm plantations, mainly in the governorates of Kebili, Tozeur, Gafsa, and Gabes.
The date sector in Tunisia has shown resilience and potential for growth. The country's date production has been increasing over the years, with a focus on improving quality and expanding export markets. The sector's performance has contributed to the country's economy, and efforts are being made to address the challenges facing it.
The high cost of production is one of the main challenges facing Tunisian date producers. The cost of inputs, including fertilizers, pesticides, and equipment, has increased, affecting the profitability of date farming. Additionally, the sector faces logistical challenges, including transportation and storage difficulties, which can impact the quality and availability of dates for export.
The Tunisian government and various stakeholders are working to address the challenges facing the date sector. Initiatives include improving irrigation systems, providing training and support to farmers, and enhancing marketing and export efforts. The national conference on dates aims to bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss solutions to the sector's challenges and promote sustainable development.
The date sector in Tunisia has significant potential for growth and development. With a focus on improving production, marketing, and export efforts, the sector can continue to contribute to the country's economy. The first national conference on dates in Tozeur will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector and to identify ways to promote sustainable development.
Key points
- Tunisia's date sector achieved a record production of nearly 404,000 tons in the 2025-2026 season.
- The sector faces challenges including high production costs, logistical difficulties, and climate change impacts.
- The national conference on dates aims to address the challenges facing the sector and promote sustainable development.
