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Tunisia's olive cultivation sector is facing a new phytosanitary challenge following the detection of 'Olive Knot' bacterial disease in the Mellouleche region of Mahdia Governorate. As the harvesting season commences, agricultural authorities have ramped up inspections and containment efforts to prevent the spread of infection to healthy groves, safeguarding a sector vital to thousands of farmers and the national economy.
The Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture announced on Thursday, October 15, 2026, the implementation of urgent field protocols after identifying infected trees. Technical teams, active since late September 2026, have been evaluating the spread of the bacteria to deploy an exceptional program aimed at limiting transmission. Measures include pruning heavily infected branches for safe disposal, examining surrounding trees, and intensifying health monitoring across olive-producing governorates.
Olive Knot is a plant disease caused by the bacterium 'Pseudomonas savastanoi.' Its symptoms manifest as rough, gall-like swellings on twigs and branches. In severe cases, the disease leads to branch dieback, stunted growth, and diminished yields, with saplings and young trees being particularly vulnerable. While infection does not necessarily mean the death of the tree, its persistence can lead to significant cumulative agricultural losses.
The bacteria thrive in humid and rainy conditions, utilizing water for transport and entering tree tissues through wounds caused by pruning, harvesting, or hail. Harvesting tools can also act as vectors if not properly disinfected, making best agricultural practices essential for containment.
The economic stakes are high: Tunisia boasts over 2.1 million hectares of olive groves with more than 147 million trees across 309,000 farms. Olive oil accounts for approximately 10% of the total value of agricultural production and nearly 44% of total agricultural exports. Over the last five years, annual exports have averaged 212,000 tons.
Sfax leads national production with a 17% share, followed by Mahdia, Sidi Bouzid, Sousse, and Kairouan. With 1,750 mills and numerous processing facilities, the sector provides extensive direct and indirect employment. Current efforts remain focused on curbing the outbreak in Mellouleche and educating farmers on preventive measures to mitigate potential damage to the national harvest.
Source: Roeya News Network