Tunisian fruit producers are preparing for the summer export campaign, in a mood of optimism mitigated by the fear of a reversal of climatic conditions, according to Mohamed Sadok, CEO of CarthagoExpo.
"Climatic conditions are currently favorable to kick off the summer season, but we are still haunted by the ghost of the decline in rainfall. If rainfall decreases, it will immediately affect the quality. So we cross our fingers that nature will be generous, it is the only thing that will guarantee us a good season," said Mohamed. The producer will market figs and prickly pears, watermelons, grapes, peaches, apricots, cherries, and pomegranates, in addition to some vegetables.
In the context of declining agricultural production worldwide, the producer says he is receiving more requests this year. "We are currently doing business with customers in the Middle East, especially from the UAE, Qatar, and Oman. European buyers are currently looking for prices that are not available at the moment. We also receive requests from the Far East, such as Singapore and Hong Kong, but this is a market that we are still developing and we are adjusting to the procedures that are not yet fluid.
According to Mohamed, Tunisian producers could benefit from the increased demand for fruit, provided they are not affected in turn by the drought. "So far, we are quite spared while countries in the region such as Morocco and Spain are suffering the full brunt of bad weather and a general decline in production. We are still waiting to see how things will develop with regard to rainfall, and if things go as we hope, we will be able to take advantage of the high demand for fruits."
Mohamed Sadok
CarthagoExpo
Tel. : +216 21 143 905
carthagoexpo@gmail.com