Preparations for Tunisia’s upcoming date season are advancing under favorable conditions, though exporters remain cautious after last year’s last-minute weather disruptions severely impacted yields. According to a report from FreshPlaza, industry professionals are balancing optimism with prudent realism.
Mariem Hamza, technical sales engineer at Nour Fruit, struck a tempered note: “We have every reason to believe in a successful campaign, but let’s not forget that last season, everything was going well until the very moment of harvest.” Speaking to FreshPlaza, she confirmed that current weather and phytosanitary conditions are positive, logistics are prepared, and growers are anticipating strong yields with up to 60% of production expected to reach higher quality grades.
A key advantage for Tunisia in the competitive global market is its flagship variety, the Deglet Nour. Hamza described it to FreshPlaza as a high-end date, valued for its “brilliant appearance, high fiber content, sweetness, and pleasant texture.” While it competes with other premium varieties like Medjool, it has maintained a loyal customer base built over decades.
The most direct competition, however, comes from producers of the same variety, particularly Algeria. While Algerian exporters are absent from the large Moroccan market due to diplomatic tensions, they remain highly competitive elsewhere. “Our Algerian counterparts practice aggressive pricing,” Hamza told FreshPlaza.
In response, Nour Fruit is focusing on high-value-added markets in Europe and Asia rather than competing solely on volume. “We will focus on satisfying our customers… whether in terms of understanding their needs, selecting high-quality dates, or enhancing packaging,” Hamza stated. This season is especially critical as it is the last for the foreseeable future where fresh Tunisian dates can reach Asian markets in time for Ramadan, making customer satisfaction in that region a top priority.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Editorial Staff)
