Morocco Becomes Top Importer of Tunisian Dates Amid Industry Challenges

This commercial success is confirmed by the figures from the Tunisian National Observatory of Agriculture. In the first three months of the 2024/2025 season, date exports increased by 10% compared to the previous season, reaching 51,000 tons.

However, the Tunisian date industry is facing major challenges. Competition from Gulf countries is intensifying, and Morocco is developing its own production, which could eventually reduce its dependence on imports.

The date industry is a key sector of the Tunisian economy. It generates jobs and contributes to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. Tunisia is renowned for the quality of its dates, particularly the Deglet Nour variety, and has also specialized in the production of organic dates for export to Europe.

In addition, questionable commercial practices have been uncovered. Algerian dates would be introduced into Tunisia to be repackaged and exported to Morocco, thus circumventing the trade embargo between the two countries.