On Monday, October 5, 2026, Tunisian Trade and Export Development Minister, Samir Obaid, chaired a meeting to review preparations for the date harvest season. The minister emphasized that his ministry is working on a special promotional plan for dates in consultation with various stakeholders. This plan aims to adopt a new marketing and promotional approach targeting the enhancement of Tunisian dates' presence in international markets and diversification of their destinations.
The promotional strategy will focus on qualitative and targeted promotion according to market specifics and international demand. It also aims to promote dates as a healthy product, replacing current promotional methods. The meeting highlighted the crucial role of commercial representations abroad in promoting Tunisian dates and exploring new export opportunities.
Minister Obaid stressed that preparations for the date harvest season require a comprehensive approach that includes all stages of the value chain, from production to storage and promotion, both domestically and internationally. This approach will enable the enhancement of the product, improvement of its profitability, and reinforcement of its competitiveness in foreign markets. He particularly emphasized the importance of supporting farmers, especially small-scale ones.
The upcoming period requires a shift from seasonal promotion to a sustainable approach to marketing Tunisian dates, according to Minister Obaid. This approach should anticipate market needs, enhance the presence of Tunisian products in international markets, and encourage domestic consumption throughout the year. The minister suggested setting up sales points from producers to consumers and generalizing them across all governorates of the Republic.
The meeting reviewed concerns from various stakeholders, including transportation and storage costs, high labor costs, and organization of the activity of intermediaries between farmers and consumers. Participants also discussed issues related to the reference price, climate fluctuations, and their repercussions.
Other topics discussed included increasing the value of seasonal loans for harvesting, storage, and plastic bags suitable for each season. The meeting also touched upon enhancing human resources for the Joint Professional Association for Dates and the Technical Center for Dates, as well as supporting the Wholesale Markets Company in Bir Kassia for promotional efforts in the domestic market.
The participants emphasized the importance of securing necessary financing for all links in the date value chain, particularly for small farmers, to support their capacities and promote their products. The meeting also highlighted the potential for expanding date processing through support for derivatives and related industries, contributing to product diversification and creating greater added value.
Key points
- The plan aims to enhance the presence of Tunisian dates in international markets and diversify their destinations.
- The strategy will focus on qualitative and targeted promotion according to market specifics and international demand.
- The plan seeks to promote dates as a healthy product, replacing current promotional methods.
