Tunisia's Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, has called for a holistic approach to prepare for the upcoming date season. This approach will cover the entire production chain, from cultivation to storage and marketing, with the goal of increasing the product's value and competitiveness abroad. The minister made these remarks during a meeting focused on preparations for the season.
Minister Abid emphasized the importance of supporting small-scale farmers, who are a crucial part of the date production chain. He stressed the need to enhance their capabilities and improve their ability to market their produce. A specific plan for promoting dates is being developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders, similar to the one implemented for olive oil.
The plan aims to strengthen the presence of Tunisian dates in international markets and diversify their outlets. It will focus on targeted promotion, tailored to the characteristics of various markets and international demand, highlighting dates as a healthy product. Abid also urged a shift from seasonal promotion to a sustainable strategy based on anticipating market needs and developing domestic consumption throughout the year.
The meeting addressed various aspects of the date industry, including financing, storage, transportation costs, labor costs, and the impact of climate fluctuations on the sector. Participants emphasized the need to develop derived products and processing industries to increase added value and open up new export opportunities.
Tunisia's date production faces several challenges, including climate change, water scarcity, and competition from other producing countries. To overcome these challenges, the government is working to develop a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to date production and export.
The new plan is expected to have a positive impact on the Tunisian economy, particularly on small-scale farmers and the country's export earnings. According to the minister, the plan will help to increase the value of date exports and improve the competitiveness of Tunisian dates in international markets.
The implementation of the plan is set to begin in the coming months, with the government working closely with stakeholders in the date industry. The plan's success will depend on the cooperation of all parties involved, including farmers, producers, and exporters.
Key points
- The plan aims to increase the value and competitiveness of Tunisian dates in international markets.
- The government is working to support small-scale farmers and improve their ability to market their produce.
- The plan focuses on targeted promotion, highlighting dates as a healthy product, and developing domestic consumption throughout the year.
