Last season, the absence of Tunisian dates, particularly the Deglet Nour variety, was noticeable in several markets, especially during the run-up to Ramadan. This forced importers to seek other competing origins or source different varieties of dates, causing a shift in the market, with mixed results. Faouzi Ben Ghazi, Head of Export at the Tunisian company SONAB, reassures that such a scenario is unlikely to repeat itself next season.
Ben Ghazi states: "Last season was particularly difficult. Marked by heavy rains and exceptionally high humidity during the harvest period, Tunisian production suffered in terms of both quantity and texture quality. This resulted in a 50% loss in usual volumes. However, I can assure you that such a climatic scenario is exceptional, occurring only about once every twenty years."
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According to Ben Ghazi, the previous season was simply not profitable for exporters. However, beyond profitability, the challenge was to maintain the reliability of Tunisian origin. The exporter adds: "At SONAB, we are the fourth generation of growers, and thanks to our local expertise and strict adherence to quality standards, we have been able to maintain our commitment to our customers. They have particularly appreciated our ability to adapt. Despite the challenges, we passed the test of reliability with flying colors."
The exporter promises a strong comeback for Deglet Nour dates, as soon as the upcoming season. He argues, "So far, conditions for the upcoming season are very favorable. The early signs are encouraging, and we anticipate superior-quality Tunisian Deglet Nour dates. Significant efforts have been made to protect and care for the date palms, complementing the marked improvement in weather conditions. We also expect a notable increase in international demand for Tunisian dates, driven by several factors:
- The expected high quality of the upcoming harvest;
Prospects of shortages in other major exporting countries, such as Iran and Palestine, are also boosting the appeal of Tunisian dates on the global market. - The surge in Asian demand, which now extends throughout the year, is also supporting this trend.
- The growing interest of international processing industries in pitted dates and date by-products (paste, syrup, natural sugar, etc.), due to the exceptional nutritional properties of Deglet Nour dates, their natural resistance to different climates, and their excellent value for money.
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Last season, several importers in Europe and North Africa reported difficulties in sourcing the Deglet Nour variety from competing origins amid supply issues in Tunisia. For Ben Ghazi, "this proves not only that the Tunisian supply is not easily replaceable, but also that Tunisian exporters will regain their market share swiftly next season."
"This is another structural factor that favors Tunisian Deglet dates: The quality issues encountered by other sources due to mandatory freezing during transport. This common practice among some competitors alters the texture and flavor of dates once they are exposed to ambient temperatures. In contrast, our dates are naturally resistant and do not require freezing, ensuring greater stability throughout the supply chain. Ultimately, this reinforces the position of Tunisian dates as the benchmark for quality in the global market," Ben Ghazi continues.
"The date export sector has a long history in our country's agricultural exports and is subject to strict governmental oversight. Unlike other origins, we do not tamper with production or export parameters by using practices such as early harvesting or accelerated ripening. Everything is done according to the best practices to ensure quality above all other commercial considerations," he adds.
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For the upcoming season, SONAB is focusing on two main markets, according to its head of export, namely Europe and Asia. He concludes, "Following five challenging harvest seasons, we anticipate significant improvement in both the volume and geographic reach of this year's crop. With renewed momentum, we aim to expand sales of our premium and standard category dates across new and existing markets. Concerning pricing, we consider that a fair price should reflect the hardships on the production front as well as the quality improvement, accordingly increasing from last season."
For more information:
Faouzi Ben Ghazi
SONAB
Tel /WhatsApp: +216 25 205 813
Email: [email protected]
www.sonab-tn.com
