Nearly 2,705 km have been treated by extraction and incineration operations against the cactus mealy bug which is ravaging several prickly pear plantations, said Rabeh Hajlaoui, head of the General Directorate of Plant Health, at a regular press conference organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries.

These areas are divided between the governorates of Mahdia (797 km), Monastir (354 km), Kairouan (47km), Sousse (1357km), Sfax (68km) and Sidi Bouzid (82km).

The first appearance of this insect, which spreads in a hot, dry climate, was in September 2021, in the governorate of Mahdia.

The cactus sector in Tunisia is a source of income for around 150,000 farmers. Tunisia ranks 4th in the world for prickly pear exports. Average annual production is 552,000 tonnes from an area of 600,000 hectares.

There are 48 companies operating in this sector, 20 of which are fully exporters. In 2021, nearly 8 thousand litres of prickly pear seed oil were exported, worth 5 million euros.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse