Tunisia plans to produce some 1.05 million tonnes of olives and 210,000 tonnes of olive oil in 2013, as olive prices soared 48% as of December 7.
The olive production estimates recorded on December 7 are equivalent to those published on the same date during the previous season, according to data published by the National Oil Office (ONH).
These figures were published when the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade announced on December 2 their decision to devote 10,500 tonnes of extra virgin olive oil to retail sales to consumers at the preferential price of 15 DT per liter, from December 15, to promote sufficient quantities of olive oil while taking into account the purchasing power of consumers.
The Central-West region (Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan, and Kasserine) leads in terms of national production, with 74,000 tonnes of oil, or 35%.
The South region contributes approximately 28% of national production, while the North and Center regions each represent 18%.
The oil extraction rate during the first week of December 2023 was between 11% and 25%.
The number of oil mills in operation between October 23 and December 7 stood at around 930, compared to 799 during the previous season.
Harvest operations until December 7 recorded a progress rate of around 28%, compared to 35% for the same period of the previous campaign.
ONH data further revealed that olive prices increased by 48% during the first week of December compared to the same period last season.
