In brief
Tunisia has started its 2026‑2027 olive harvest season on Nov. 6, 2026, with a forecast of about 300,000 tons of olive oil—down from 500,000 tons last year—due to variable rainfall and evolving climate patterns. The harvest drives seasonal employment and community gatherings across the country’s 1.9 million‑hectare olive groves. National initiatives aim to upgrade mills, expand storage, and boost export competitiveness, keeping Tunisia a key player in the global olive‑oil market.
Tunisia has started its 2026‑2027 olive harvest season on November 6, 2026, with a forecast of about 300,000 tons of olive oil—down from 500,000 tons last year—according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The drop in output follows variable rainfall and changing climate patterns that have affected the country’s 1.9 million hectares of olive groves.
The harvest remains a key economic driver and a source of seasonal jobs for thousands of rural workers, the agency said.
Traditional hand combs, manual picking, and nets are still used, and families gather to collect fruit, press it and taste the first cold‑pressed oil with bread, the agency noted.
National programs are upgrading mills, expanding storage, and boosting export competitiveness, the article added, underscoring Tunisia’s role in the global olive‑oil market.
Despite lower yields, the industry supports livelihoods and preserves cultural heritage across North Africa.
