Preliminary indicators for the current grain season in Tunisia are very positive, Hammadi Boubakri, a member of the executive board of the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (UTAP), stated.
He estimated that a significant harvest could be achieved, helping reduce grain imports and strengthen national food security, thanks to an exceptional rainy season and a marked improvement in the condition of major crops across different regions of the country.
Speaking on Express FM on Monday, May 11, he explained that this agricultural season is considered a good one, particularly after several difficult years marked by drought.
He noted that rainfall was regular and well distributed throughout the season, which had a positive impact on crop growth and improved yields.
He added that the grain-planted areas reached around 834,000 hectares in the north and 157,000 hectares in the central region of the country.
According to official assessments, 70% of crops are in very good condition, 25% in average condition and only 5% below average, strengthening hopes for a harvest of around 20 million quintals.
Boubakri also indicated that Tunisia could achieve self-sufficiency in durum wheat this season. He specified that national needs range between 12 and 15 million quintals, quantities that could be covered based on current indicators, which would ease pressure on the state budget and reduce the import bill.
However, he noted that imports would still be necessary for soft wheat used in bread and flour production, due to consumption levels exceeding domestic output, despite an increase in cultivated areas compared to the previous season.
