According to recent official statistics released by the Tunisian Ministry of Trade, Tunisia has reaffirmed its status as the world’s top exporter of olive oil outside the European Union.
Building on this momentum, olive oil production is expected to reach nearly 360,000 tons for the 2024/2025 season, marking a record high, as estimated by Fatma Thabet Chiboub, the Minister of Industry, Mines, and Energy.
She made this announcement during a recent reception held in honor of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Tunisia, under the theme “Tunisian Olive Oil: A National Treasure to Share with the World.”
For the 2023/2024 season, exports reached nearly 195,000 tons, valued at 5 billion dinars.
These exports were destined for over 60 countries, the minister added, emphasizing that efforts are currently underway to diversify export destinations and tap into new markets.
She also highlighted that Tunisia has now positioned itself as the world’s leading exporter of organic olive oil, strengthening its competitiveness in strategic markets such as Europe and North America.
In this regard, Tunisia sold nearly 40,000 tons of organic olive oil on the international market during the 2023/2024 season. The minister noted that the country has no choice but to reinforce its position in the export of packaged olive oil to traditional markets.
On his part, Mourad Ben Hassine, CEO of the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX), stated that exports of packaged olive oil have achieved record figures, enabling Tunisia to rank fourth globally in terms of packaged olive oil exports.
He recalled that CEPEX has developed promotional programs in partnership with the Technical Center for Packaging and Packing (PACKTEC), aimed at strengthening the position of Tunisian packaged olive oil in traditional foreign markets, promoting its Tunisian origin, and increasing exports of packaged olive oil.
This event, organized by PACKTEC in collaboration with the Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (UTICA) and the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX), seeks to enhance the international reputation and visibility of Tunisian olive oil among a qualified and influential audience, namely the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Tunisia.
Olive oil revenues surge by over 16%
Revenues from olive oil exports in November 2024 saw a significant increase of 16.6%, reaching 281 million dinars (MD), compared to 241 MD in November 2023, according to the National Olive Oil Office (ONH).
This improvement is primarily attributed to a 47% increase in the quantity of olive oil exported, totaling 14,781 tons, despite a 20.6% drop in prices, from 23,974 dinars per ton in November 2023 to 19,022 dinars per ton currently.
It is worth noting that exports of packaged olive oil also saw a positive growth of 30%, reaching 2,500 tons with a value of 67 MD.
