Madar (Tunis) - Tunisia's date production for the 2026-2027 season is estimated at about 354,000 tonnes, down from 404,000 tonnes last season, a drop of some 50,000 tonnes or about 12.4%, according to Kaisar Ben Arfa, director general of the Interprofessional Dates Group (GID), quoted by Tunisian news site Webdo on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The expected decline follows a record harvest, the first to exceed 400,000 tonnes. The new figure is an estimate rather than a final count; actual output will depend on how ripening and the season progress.
The official noted that ripening is running late this season and that prices have not yet been set, leaving producers waiting for clarity on marketing conditions, the outlet said.
To ease sales, direct producer-to-consumer outlets are due to open from November in about a dozen governorates and run until Ramadan. Credit lines from the Tunisian Solidarity Bank (BTS) are also to help farmers cover storage needs.
