The Tunisian Deglet Nour season is off to a flying start. Growers have turned the page on last season, which was exceptionally disastrous due to climate-induced losses. This season's good harvests are coinciding with sustained demand in several markets, according to Ghazi Rouissi, CEO of The House of Dates.
The grower reports that production is meeting expectations. He explains, "Harvesting has begun across the country and is still ongoing. We are delighted to see a return to consistent volumes and excellent quality. Sizes are also good, and pesticide residue levels comply with the most stringent standards."
© The House of Dates
Exports began as soon as the first harvests came in, according to Rouissi. He adds, "Ramadan coincides with February this year. We have just enough time to deliver to the most distant markets. We even used last season's stocks to fulfill orders in India and Australia, where transit time exceeds 50 days. It's a big challenge this season, as we won't have enough time to seize the commercial window offered by Ramadan."
Tight deadlines require a shift in packaging: "The long transit time is compounded by limited logistics capacity and labor availability. We will therefore have less small packaging and also sorting this season for distant markets because it is simply not possible."
Demand is also high in Morocco, the main market for Tunisian dates. The grower says, "Transit time to Morocco is one to two weeks, which allows us to continue deliveries until Ramadan. However, we are seeing a lot of orders from Morocco very early in the season."
Sustained demand is reflected in more attractive prices. "We have raised our starting prices for the season because we cannot fulfill all orders relating to Ramadan," Rouissi adds.
© The House of Dates
The fierce competition anticipated this season does not worry the producer. Neighboring Algeria is also experiencing a marked improvement in the volume and quality of Deglet Nour dates this season, while Egypt and Saudi Arabia are emerging on the date market with significant volumes of other varieties with diverse quality ranges. However, tempers: "Competition with Algeria is not a concern. A trend is emerging on the international market, as Tunisia specializes in retail and supermarkets, while Algerian exporters focus on ethnic markets and wholesalers. The strong arrival of Egypt and Saudi Arabia is more worrying, but Tunisia's position is protected thanks to the Deglet Nour variety, which has a loyal customer base."
The increasingly early arrival of Ramadan heralds a longer export season starting this year. "We must now rely on other motives of date consumption and spread exports over a longer period. Marketing arguments are not lacking. For example, date consumption increases during cold weather in Europe, or as a substitute for much more expensive dried fruit in North America," Rouissi concludes.
For more information:
Ghazi Rouissi
The House of Dates
Tel: +21620305240
Email: [email protected]
www.thehouseofdates.com
