Producing olives and dates in Tunisia

Despite Tunisia's variable climate, the agriculture sector there remains vital to the country's economy. Tunisia is also a leading producer of dates and olive oil. Janine Ryan reports.

- Janine Ryan

Tunisia, the smallest country in North Africa, is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east, and has a population of around 10 million people.

The northern, mountainous parts of the country, where the climate is temperate, experience cool, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The central region is hot, dry and flat, and the southern part is covered by the Sahara Desert. Rain is largely confined to northern Tunisia, which receives around 1 520mm annually.

In spite of Tunisia’s varied climate, agriculture plays an important role in the country’s economy, with the sector contributing around 12,6% to national gross domestic product. Due to the relatively low rainfall received in central and southern Tunisia, around 66% of total cultivated land receives less than 400mm of rain every year.

In 2009, Tunisia had 516 000 farms, with 87% of these smaller than 20ha, according to the Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services. The forum adds that only around 8% of farmers own half of the country’s arable land, whereas 62% are smallholders who farm on less than 10ha each.

Tunisia’s main grain crops are wheat and barley. Olives, grapes, citrus and dates are grown commercially, as are tomatoes, potatoes, onions, peppers and artichokes. Farmers also run cattle, sheep, goats, camels and chickens.

DATE PRODUCTION

Tunisia represents 50% of the global population of date palm trees (Deglet Nour variety), and production is primarily situated in the Djerid and Kebili regions.

The country is the world’s biggest exporter of dates by value. While it mainly produces the Deglet Nour variety, it also produces smaller quantities of Kenta, Alligh, and Kouat Alligh.