Second Tunisian pomegranate harvest set to start

“The first harvest started a few weeks ago, and we'll begin production in the second area in about one week,” said Walid Gaddas of Alyssa Fruits. “For the second production, we expect a good crop with good quality because of the good weather conditions. At the moment, everything is okay.” The Jebali variety is the dominant one during the second harvest, with about 70 percent of the crop made up of that variety. The remaining 30 percent is for the Gabsi variety. Exports this year for Alyssa Fruits is expected to reach up to 1,000 tons on the back of growing demand.

“Consumption in Europe will increase, I believe, because the market will become more diversified,” said Gaddas. “Consumers will get their fruit not just from retailers and supermarkets.” Alyssa Farms sources their fruit from GlobalGAP-certified growers in Tunisia, and though they transport most of their fruit in refrigerated trucks, they also send their fruit via airfreight to Middle East countries.