Tunisia projects to produce some 1.05 million tonnes of olives, yielding 210 thousand tonnes of oil, as olive prices soared by 48% (December 7, 2023).
Olive production estimates recorded on December 7 are similar to those posted in the previous season, data published by the National Olive Oil Office (ONH) show.
These figures were released at a time when the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade announced on December 2 their decision to dedicate 10,500 tonnes of extra virgin olive oil for retail sale to consumers at a preferential price of TND 15 per litre, with effect from December 15, 2023, in order to promote sufficient quantities of oil while taking into account the purchasing power of consumers.
The Centre-West region (Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan and Kasserine) is in the lead in terms of national production, with 74 thousand tonnes of oil, or 35%.
The South region contributes an estimated 28% of national production, while the North and Centre regions each account for 18%.
The oil extraction rate in the first
week of December 2023 was between 11% and 25%.
The number of oil mills operating between October 23 nd December 7 stood at around 930, compared with 799 during the previous season.
Harvesting operations up to December 7 recorded a progress rate of around 28%, compared with 35% for the same period of the previous season.
Olive prices up by almost twice
ONH data further revealed that olive prices rose by 48% during the 1st week of December, compared with the same period last season.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse