Olive production in the Gafsa governorate during the 2023-2024 agricultural season has been estimated at 88,200 tonnes, equivalent to 18,000 tonnes of olive oil. This is a significant increase compared to the five-year average production, which stood at 60,000 tonnes of olives, yielding over 13,000 tonnes of olive oil.

The increase in production is due to the high density of newly planted olive groves that have come into production in the last five years.

Planting densities range from 400 to 1,660 olive trees per hectare, according to the Local Agricultural Development Commission (CRDA).

A working meeting was recently held in Gafsa to prepare for the olive harvest, which begins on October 26. The oil mills in the region have a daily processing capacity of 610 tonnes, a source from CRDA told TAP.

The total area of olive groves in Gafsa is 77,600 hectares, 28% of which are irrigated.

Most of these orchards are located in the South Gafsa, North Gafsa, Sidi Aich and Sened delegations.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse