# Tunisian olive oil: abundance and crisis 2025 URL: https://bluetunisia.com/huile-dolive-tunisienne-abondance-et-crise-2025/ Published: 2025-11-12 Updated: 2025-11-28 Author: Amine Guesmi Section: News Language: en As Tunisian olive groves are covered with nets, the olive oil sector holds its breath. Tunisia, the world’s third-largest producer of olive oil, is preparing for what promises to be an exceptional 2025 season. The paradox is even more striking: an abundant harvest, estimated at 340,000 tons of oil, is accompanied by a sharp drop in prices, worrying even the smallest producers. Behind these figures lies a complex reality, linking economic and structural issues. This puts the inner workings of the upcoming, tense olive oil season under the microscope. ## **Tunisian olive cultivation: a heritage of diversity** With approximately 1.8 million hectares of olive groves, Tunisia is a veritable museum of olive biodiversity (source: Ministry of Agriculture). This varietal richness, shaped by the terroir, is its primary asset: - Northwest (Beja, Bizerte): The Chétoui reigns supreme, offering a fruity, powerful and slightly bitter oil, highly sought after by consumers. - Central region (Sfax, Kairouan): The Chemlali variety, adapted to harsh conditions, produces a mild and balanced oil, important for export.. - South (Kebili, Tozeur): The Zarrazi variety is very resistant to drought, offering a subtle and light oil. - Mountains of (Djebba, Thala): Local varieties such as Chemlali, Gerboui or Sayali produce rare aromatic oils. [!(https://bluetunisia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chemlali-art-1-1024x683.jpeg)](https://worldolivecatalogue.internationaloliveoil.org/en/variety/tunisia/chemlali-sfax) Chemlali Sfax olive . Copyright: World catalogue of olive varieties ( https://worldolivecatalogue.internationaloliveoil.org/en/variety/tunisia/chemlali-sfax ) ## Production 2025: Why be afraid of abundance According to forecasts**[the National Oil Office (ONH)](http://www.onh.com.tn)**, the 2024/2025 harvest is expected to reach a record 340,000 tons of olive oil (source: ONH). Such abundance, normally a cause for celebration, is nonetheless creating unavoidable pressure on the market. On the domestic market, the price of olive oil has fallen to around 13–14 dinars per liter, a drop of nearly 50% compared to the previous year. For farmers, the calculation is harsh: production costs (labor, inputs, transportation) are rising, while the selling price is plummeting. ## Storage and Logistics: The Silent Crisis This highly anticipated production, considered historic, highlights a major structural flaw : **the abundant lack of storage capacity**. The tanks belonging to the ONH and private entities are incapable of storing such a volume. As summarized by the **Tunisian Farmers’ Union** in the columns of *The Maghreb Economist* : “The Olive Oil Board is unable to absorb a harvest of 1.7 million tons of olives.” This oversupply forces producers to sell urgently, often at a loss, to prevent the oil from spoiling. It’s a vicious cycle that’s difficult to control: overproduction leads to panic selling, which causes prices to plummet and impoverishes producers. ## Valuation: The Path to Profitability Faced with this situation, the only lasting solution is to**create more value** with each liter of oil produced. The main challenge remains the dependence on bulk exports. **Mohamed Nasraoui**, The head of exports at ONH confirms: “We need to diversify our markets, particularly in Africa and Asia, to avoid excessive dependence on the European Union.” (*The Tunisian Press*). But geographical diversification is not enough. The main objective is to **package and sell the oil under a Tunisian brand**. **Mariem Gharsallaoui**, An expert in the olive oil sector insists: “It is essential to strengthen the quality, traceability and value of the product at the national level before targeting international markets.” (*The Tunisian Press*). The development of **AOP/IGP**, oil**biological** Sustainable agricultural practices (hand-picking, rapid crushing) are becoming crucial to repositioning Tunisian olive oil in the global premium range. ## Climate Change: The Sword of Damocles Even worse, an even more serious threat is looming: climate change.[The olive tree is already suffering the effects of water stress.](http://www.meteo.tn) prolonged droughts and irregular winters. The Tunisian scientific community is exploring the use of varieties **drought resistant** (like the Zarazi) and the generalization of **water-saving irrigation systems**. These adaptations are no longer options, but conditions for the long-term survival of the sector. ## Xylella Fastidiosa : Maximum Vigilance In addition, there is another threat, this time from the outside: the bacterium*Xylella fastidiosa*. While Tunisia remains officially free of the disease, agricultural authorities are maintaining close surveillance. Preventive measures are in place: rigorous control of imported plants, training for farmers in symptom detection, and cooperation with European plant health diagnostic laboratories. As the article reminds us *[“The serial killer Xylella fastidiosa: the Ebola of olive trees”](https://bluetunisia.com/the-serial-killer-xylella-fastidiosa-the-ebola-of-olive-trees/)*, This bacterium, already responsible for devastation in Italy and Spain, represents a silent but very real threat to Tunisian olive groves. Prevention remains the best defense: an accidental introduction of*Xylella* would be a disaster for the national olive oil heritage. The 2025 olive harvest could well mark a turning point for the Tunisian sector. Faced with this paradox of abundance leading to impoverishment, it is crucial to invest in the **stockage**, to strengthen the **traçabilité** and to build a strong identity around the “**Tunisian Olive Oil**” on the world stage. The olive tree, an ancient symbol of peace and resilience, deserves our collective commitment so that every drop of oil not only has traditional know-how, but also a vision of a sustainable future. ### Frequently Asked Questions about the Tunisian Olive Oil Sector **Q : Why have olive oil prices fallen so much this year?** **R :** Supply far exceeds demand. The record harvest has saturated the market, while local demand remains limited and production costs are high. **Q :What is the most widely cultivated olive variety in Tunisia?** **R :** The **Chemlali**, especially in the Sfax region, for its good adaptation to drought. **Q : Does Tunisia export all of its oil?** **R :** No. A portion is consumed locally, but the majority is exported, often **bulk**, to be repackaged under European brands, which reduces national added value. **Q :What is the government doing to help producers?** **R :** The ONH buys a portion of the production to store it and regulate the market, but its capacity is limited. Discussions are underway to strengthen support mechanisms and modernize infrastructure. **Q : What is the main challenge for the future?** **R :** Moving from a strategy of **volume** to a strategy of**value** : focus on quality, packaging, Tunisian brands and certifications of origin. --- References: 1. **Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries (Tunisia)** – Statistical data on the national olive-growing area and varietal distribution. http://www.agriculture.tn 2. **National Oil Office (ONH)** – Official estimates of olive production 2024/2025 and market price trends. http://www.onh.com.tn 3. **The Maghreb economist** – Statements from the Tunisian Farmers’ Union regarding the limits of national storage capacities (September 2025 edition). https://www.leconomistemaghrebin.com 4. **The Tunisian Press** – Interview with Mohamed Nasraoui (ONH) on the diversification of export markets and quote from Mariem Gharsallaoui, expert in the olive oil sector. https://lapresse.tn 5. **Blue TN** – *“The serial killer Xylella fastidiosa: the Ebola of olive trees”*, article de Suivi détaillé du plan de prévention contre la *Xylella fastidiosa*en Tunisie. [https://bluetunisia.com/the-serial-killer-xylella-fastidiosa-the-ebola-of-olive-trees/](https://bluetunisia.com/the-serial-killer-xylella-fastidiosa-the-ebola-of-olive-trees/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) 6. **FAO (Organisation des Nations Unies pour l’alimentation et l’agriculture)** – Données mondiales sur la production d’huile d’olive et analyses climatiques régionales. [https://www.fao.org](https://www.fao.org) 7. **Institut National de la Météorologie (INM)** – Rapports climatiques 2024–2025 sur les épisodes de sécheresse et le stress hydrique affectant les oliveraies tunisiennes. [http://www.meteo.tn](http://www.meteo.tn) ***Copyright © 2025 Blue Tunisia. Tous droits réservés*** --- Source: Blue Tunisia (Blue TN) · https://bluetunisia.com/ More for agents: https://bluetunisia.com/llms.txt · Sitemap: https://bluetunisia.com/sitemap_index.xml · Contact: contact@bluetunisia.com