Tunisia's fruit exports from early January to last June 23 totalled 14,300 tonnes against 20,700 tonnes during the same period last year, posting a fall of nearly 31%. Total revenues in foreign currency dropped 11% to TND 60.5 million compared to TND 68.1 million in 2022, Deputy Director of Export Development at the Interprofessional Fruit Grouping (French : GIfruits) Tarek Tira told TAP. The Libyan market has the lion's share of Tunisian fruit exports, followed by Italy, Gulf countries, and remaining European countries. Exported fruits include mainly watermelons and peaches which account for around 62% of total quantities. Tunisia eyes this year an export quantity of around 50,000 tonnes with an expected rise in the value of sales, especially amid higher demand for top-quality varieties of fruits such as the flat peaches sought after by Libyan consumers. This fall in exports is due to climatic conditions that impacted national production and delayed the start of production of some varieties, the official added. Logistical challenges, mainly the high cost of air transport, impede the pace of sales of Tunisian fruits in several Gulf countries in spite of their great potential to absorb large quantities of Tunisian products. This in addition to abusive conditions of airlines and the absence of a scheduled air service by national carrier Tunisair. This year's summer fruit production saw a delay of more than 15 days in the ripening phase compared with the previous season. During this season, the quantities of stone fruits totalled nearly 223,000 tonnes, falling 24.3% compared to the previous season. This fall in production at variable rates affected all types of fruits, including mainly dried almonds which saw a 33.5% drop in production (46,200 tonnes). Production of peaches and nectarines followed suit, dropping 24%. In a bid to reinforce the positioning of Tunisian fruits on foreign markets, especially on the Libyan market which absorbs almost 90% of Tunisian fruit exports, the official said, the group had implemented a specific promotional programme in collaboration with all stakeholders. This covers inter-regional and international events during which working meetings are scheduled between Tunisian exporters and Libyan importers. To this end, Tunisia will take part in Fruit Attraction 2023 (October 3-5 in Madrid ) and the WorldFood Moscow (September 19-22 ).

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse