Tunisia: Sundried tomatoes on the rise

4% (around 800 hectares) of this area is dedicated to tomatoes to be dried, with an annual production of 50,000 tons. Another 850,000 tons are processed and become extra thick tomato paste, whereas 200,000 tons are sold fresh on the local market or exported.

50,000 tons of fresh produce have been dried in 2012.



As regards varieties, 90% of producers dry long "Sabra" tomatoes, which is the variety most suitable to the Tunisian climate, although some also use the "Rio Grande" variety. As regards round tomatoes, a small amount of them are produced in the South to satisfy the specific demands of a particular clientèle. 

Sundried tomato production is a relatively young activity in Tunisia (less than 10 years old), though it has really increased in the past 5 years, as can be seen in the following chart:

Tomatoes are dried manually: in the South-centre, they start from mid-June and finish at the beginning of October, whereas in the North, operations start the first week of July and they end the first week of September.

Generally, once cut, tomatoes are placed under the sun for 3 days, at the end of which the product is well-dried and ready to be selected and packed.

Cut tomatoes are placed on plastic nets 1 metre above the ground in order to guarantee excellent organoleptic and hygienic qualities.

They are packed in 10 kg boxes, although some Italian importers prefer to select them in Italy, so they are packed in bins or in plastic crates.

As regards exports, 80% of the produce is sold in Italy, as they are used a lot in cooking and Tunisian sundried tomatoes have the perfect qualities for the needs of the Italian market.

In 2013, Tunisia activated the "Qualimed" project together with the Confindustria in Trapani to promote the exchanging of experiences thus guaranteeing the perfect knowledge of the various needs and to certify some Tunisian companies specialised in sundried tomatoes.



Agri Didon Tunisia processes sundried tomatoes in partnership with Greco Società Agricola (www.grecoalimentare.it). Owner Michele Angelo Greco and his employees shared his 50-year experience and the Italian know-how to obtain high-quality sundried tomatoes.

Contacts:
Sami Chaari
Agri Didon Tunisia
76, Avenue Habib Bourguiba Appt A-1-1
2080 Ariana (Tunisia)
Cell.: +216 22 33 74 10
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.agrididon-tunisia.com

Michele Angelo Greco
Greco Società Agricola
Italia
Cell: +39 335 7311771
Web: www.grecoalimentare.it