Tunisian Agriculture Minister: Tunisia Holds One-Fifth of the World’s Olive Groves and Leads Organic Olive Oil Production

Tunisia’s Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, called on students and university youth to take advantage of promising investment opportunities in the olive oil sector.

The minister stressed the need to develop international marketing mechanisms for Tunisian olive oil through innovation in packaging and branding, wider use of e-commerce, and the adoption of artificial intelligence and digital tools to strengthen the value chain in this strategic sector.

His remarks came while presiding over an information day on olive oil organized by the Higher School of Commerce in Tunis, University of Manouba, in celebration of World Olive Tree Day.

The minister highlighted several opportunities for the sector, including entering non-traditional markets, strengthening Tunisian brands globally, supporting scientific research to improve quality, and encouraging entrepreneurship and startups specialized in packaging and digital marketing for olive oil.

Global Leadership and Presence in 60 Markets

The minister said the sensory characteristics and high quality of Tunisian olive oil have enabled it to reach more than 60 international markets, with growth recorded in exports of organic and bottled olive oil.

He highlighted figures that reflect Tunisia’s leadership in the sector:

1. Tunisia accounts for 20% of the world’s olive-growing area.
2. It ranks first globally in organic olive oil production.
3. It ranks second globally in total olive oil production after the European Union.

Academic and Economic Partnership

The event included the planting of olive seedlings, provided by the Olive Oil Office in Bejaoua, in the institution’s garden. This continues an annual tradition launched in 2023 to transform the garden into a small educational farm.

Nabil Grissa, Vice President of the University of Manouba, said the initiative, carried out in cooperation with the Olive Oil Office and under the supervision of the ministries of higher education and agriculture, reflects the university’s openness to the economic environment.

He added that olive oil is a national asset and a symbol of identity, stressing that the university aims to become a strategic partner in supporting the national economy and strengthening the global presence of Tunisian olive oil.