Exports of Maltese oranges to the French market will start on the 11th January 2016, and are expected to increase from 23,200 tons last season, to 25,000 tons. Samir Ben Slimane, Commercial Director of the GIF says that France will take in 90% of Tunisia’s Maltese oranges.
Despite the 12% decrease in national Maltese orange production (111,500 tons compared to 146,000 tons last season), a 50% improvement in quality and calibre has been remarked, this has allowed prices at export to increase.
Mr Ben Slimane says that the Russian market has important export potential, and new strategies are being applied to facilitate access to new markets and commercialise different varieties of oranges. The first sales of Tunisian oranges to the Russian market will start at the beginning of February, they will be sent by sea via the ports of Genes and Marseille and then by land for a 5 day journey.
The Maltese semi-blood orange is a variety of sweet, semi-sanguine oranges grown in Tunisia on the Cap Bon peninsula.