São Paulo – Global olive oil production is expected to increase by about 30%, to 3.3 million tons in the 2024/2025 season, which began in October, and Tunisia will play a significant role in this growth. The country is expected to see a 55% increase in production during this period, according to data from a meeting of producers in Spain confirmed by the Embassy of the Arab country in Brazil. According to Ambassador Nabil Lakhal, this production will contribute to the export volumes of Tunisian olive oil, including to Brazil.
Tunisia’s olive oil production is expected to reach 340,000 tons, with 300,000 earmarked for export, solidifying its position as the world’s second-largest producer, according to the embassy. Ambassador Lakhal said the production record is primarily due to improved climatic conditions and significant rainfall in the North African state over recent months, particularly in the central and southern regions, as well as government efforts to expand irrigation to cover 90% of the total olive cultivation area.
“In addition to all this, the quality of Tunisian trees, some of which are hundreds of years old and are able to adapt to climatic changes and biologically compatible with the nature of the Tunisian soil. On the other hand, the Tunisian government has worked in recent years to further support actors in this field at all stages of production and provide all appropriate conditions for the valorization of this strategic product, which represents 40% of our total agricultural exports,” he said.
In light of this, the Arab country’s Embassy in Brasília expects increased shipments to Brazil. “It is natural that the growth of national production of olive oil contributes to the development of the volume of our exports to international markets, especially the promising Brazilian market, especially since we noticed during this year a great demand from the Brazilian consumer for this Tunisian product,” explains Lakhal.
According to data provided by the embassy, this interest was reflected in North african country’s olive oil exports to Brazil, which tripled in value. Exports rose from USD 4.5 million between January and October last year to USD 11.5 million during the same period in 2024. Despite viewing these figures as positive, the diplomat emphasized they still fall short of his country’s aspirations for the Brazilian market and do not fully reflect the prestigious position of their olive oil worldwide. The aRab nation exports olive oil to 60 countries, primarily within the European Union, the United States, and Canada.
The ambassador believes that his country’s olive oil also reaches the Brazilian market indirectly, meaning the actual volume exceeds official statistics. “We are convinced that the quantities supplied to Brazil of Tunisian olive oil of Tunisian origin are much larger, especially since some companies from competing countries unfortunately import quantities of olive oil from Tunisia to mix it with their local oils in order to improve its quality, which makes me say with confidence that no table in Brazil and even in the world is devoid of Tunisian olive oil,” explains Nabil Lakhal.
However, the ambassador believes the positive trade indicators achieved so far will pave the way for broader opportunities in the future, allowing his country to strengthen its position with olive oil not only in Brazil but throughout the Mercosur region. “Similar to what has been recorded in our sales volume in the North American, Indian, Chinese and even European markets, which have become important destinations for Tunisian canned olive oil,” he says.
New avenues for growth
The ambassador acknowledges the intense competition in the Brazilian olive oil market but is striving to boost exports. This includes promoting the participation of the Arab country’s brands in exhibitions and economic events held in Brazil, such as the APAS Show food fair in São Paulo. Additionally, a promotional event for Tunisian olive oil will be organized in the São Paulo capital, bringing together Brazilian shopping centers and Tunisian exporters.
Efforts are also underway on other fronts, such as registering Tunisian olive oil laboratories in Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s database. “Since the beginning of this year, three laboratories have been registered, and we are in the process of registering the rest of the Tunisian laboratories in coordination with all competent Tunisian authorities,” says the ambassador.
The embassy reports it is working with Brazilian partners to strengthen the legal framework of Tunisia-Brazil trade relations in order to enhance and facilitate commerce and economic exchange, favoring Tunisian exports to Brazil such as olive oil, phosphates, and dates, as well as Brazilian exports to the Arab country’s market, including coffee, corn, and sugar.
“Since the beginning of October, the Commercial and Consular Office of the Embassy in São Paulo has been in operation and is in the process of linking with Brazilian suppliers and companies to promote Tunisian products, not only olive oil, but we are working on repositioning in other areas, especially phosphate and fertilizers,” says the ambassador.
Country of millions of olive trees
Regarding olive oil, the ambassador also mentions that his country has been known since ancient times for its distinctive production. “Perhaps the mosaic paintings discovered from the Carthaginian and Roman periods and currently displayed in Tunisian museums, especially the National Museum in Bardo, are the best evidence of this, as much as Tunisians are attached to their land and their love for it, they are linked to the olive tree and its goodness and made it an address for good, prosperity and peace,” he says.
The ambassador recalls that his country is one of the largest producers and exporters of olive oil in the world, with 2 million hectares of olive tree plantations and 107 million trees. “Tunisian olive oil ranks first in the world in terms of quality, as evidenced by the testimony of international specialists and the awards it receives annually in international competitions,” he says. According to Lakhal, in 2024, Tunisian olive oil received more than 61 gold medals.
The increase in global olive oil production is expected to help balance out the prices of the product for consumers in the coming months, thus favoring global consumption. Like other food products, olive oil has faced price increases in international markets over the past two years due to climate issues in producing countries.
Read more:
Olive oil purchasing habits of Brazilians changing
Minister launches Tunisia’s office in São Paulo
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
