Tunisian Government Unveils Comprehensive Plan for 2025-2026 Olive Oil Season
The Tunisian government has presented a comprehensive plan to ensure the success of the 2025-2026 olive oil season, during a restricted ministerial council held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Kasbah Palace, under the presidency of Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri, head of government.
Objectives
The primary objective is to guarantee the smooth operation of the production cycle - from harvest to export - while preserving the quality of Tunisian olive oil and strengthening its international competitiveness.
Support for Small Farmers
The government has decided to better support small farmers, in line with the orientations of President Kaïs Saïed. Measures include:
- Simplifying procedures for accessing preferential rate credits
- Partially covering pressing and storage costs
- Reprogramming debts of struggling oil mill owners
Financing and Logistics
To facilitate the campaign, the Central Bank of Tunisia will intervene with financial institutions to facilitate financing for all stages of the olive oil cycle. The Tunisian Solidarity Bank will participate in financing the collection and storage of olive oil. The government has also validated the establishment of a national storage program, which can reach 150,000 tons of olive oil over a period of three months, with direct subsidies for farmers. The National Oil Office (ONH) will be responsible for executing this program and will benefit from a state guarantee for the purchase of oil from the new harvest. All governors are called upon to ensure good logistical coordination during the harvest, including the availability of labor, transportation, and temporary accommodation for seasonal workers. The government also plans to implement a waste management plan to valorize waste from production, and the ONH will organize training sessions to improve the quality of the final product.
Promotion and Exportation
On the commercial front, Tunisia aims to diversify its export markets, targeting Latin America and Asia, while consolidating its presence in European markets. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lead a promotion strategy focused on enhancing the value of "made in Tunisia" and packaged oil, to clearly recognize Tunisian origin. At the local level, the state wants to stimulate national consumption by reducing profit margins in large stores and launching, through the ONH, the sale of packaged olive oil at affordable prices. Restaurants and hotels will also be encouraged to promote Tunisian oil.
Future Plans
Finally, the council approved the preparation of a strategic study on the future of the olive oil sector, covering production, financing, transformation, and marketing. A restructuring plan for the National Oil Office will also be launched to modernize its governance and improve its efficiency.
