São Paulo – Tunisia plans to produce 284,000 tonnes of stone fruit this year and export 80 thousand tonnes, according to data published on Thursday, May 6, by the country’s official news agency, Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP). The data was released by the Interprofessional Group of Fruits (GIFruits), an entity that represents the sector.
According to the acting Director General of GIFruits, Helmi Kalai, shipping of international cargoes started in April and top buyers of Tunisian fruits this year will be Libya, France and Italy. The first shipments were bound to two of the main markets, France and Italy, as well as Russia.
The estimated volume for the harvest represents a 7% increase in comparison to the previous harvest. In Tunisia, the governorate of Ben Arous ranks first in national fruit production, followed by Kairouan, Sidi Bouzid, Manouba, and Béja. The sector accounts for 15% of the total agricultural workforce and 51% of the seasonal workforce.
According to data from TAP, fruits represent 30% of the overall value of Tunisian agricultural production and account for 11% of agricultural exports. Peaches and nectarines solely have an estimated production of 152,000 tonnes this year, 11% over the previous one. The apricot production should be 28,000 tonnes and the plum is expected to reach 18 thousand tonnes. The country also grows other fruits like almonds and cherries.
Kalai said that the last season saw a decrease in the volume of exports, especially to Libya, which accounts for about 70% of purchases of Tunisian fruit, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the closure of land and air borders with the country. He added that Tunisia has also been impacted by the increase in international air freight rates, which led to a drop in sales of fruit to the Gulf market, especially peaches and apricots.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
