Tunisia sees record citrus crop - highlights market constraints

Following record production in 2016/17, Tunisia citrus faces lingering constraints to capture value added processing and export markets. France remains the largest export market for Tunisia citrus; however, efforts are being undertaken to reorient exports to the Gulf, Algeria, and Russia. Citrus production is composed of (in rank order) Maltese oranges, navel oranges, clementines, lemons, and mandarins.

While citrus production started before French colonization (1881-1956), it only began to take off in 1918 along with domestic demand. Citrus cultivation developed mainly in the peninsula of Cap Bon (Governorate of Nabeul) benefiting from good soil, water resources, and climate, where winter frosts are rare.

Other production areas were established in Greater Tunis and Bizerte and, in recent years, area has expanded to the land-locked governorates, including Kairouan and Jendouba. Tunisia’s citrus orchards currently cover an area of 27,000 HA and total 7 million trees, accounting for 1.3% of fruit tree area, a distant third to olives and dates.

source: fas.usda.gov