Facing Climate Change: Tunisia's Strategic Shift to Citrus Exports
In the face of climate change, which is drying up its lands and threatening its crops, Tunisia is compelled to accelerate its citrus exports. This strategic choice is crucial to protect the country's agricultural economy and meet international demand.
Tunisia, confronted with rising temperatures, decreasing precipitation, and increasing water stress, sees its agriculture, a key economic driver accounting for nearly 10% of GDP, under threat. As a targeted reaction and action plan, the country has decided to accelerate the export of its citrus fruits to secure and guarantee its revenue and limit losses related to the effects of climate change.
Based on data from the National Observatory of Agriculture (Onagri), citrus exports have increased by 46% between October 2024 and May 2025, from 8,510 to 12,455 tons, generating 37.74 million dinars, compared to 29.45 million the previous year. The Maltese orange accounts for 45% of the volume, followed by the Navel variety and lemons.
This strategy is part of a response to a dual imperative: maintaining the agricultural economy and adapting to new environmental fluctuations. The FAO highlights that the overexploitation of deep aquifers and increased evapotranspiration make traditional crops vulnerable, while the Ministry of Environment warns of declining yields and reduced tree-covered areas, exacerbating rural exodus.
In this context, the intensification of exports is a measure of resilience, but it also carries risks, particularly regarding the sustainability of water resources. To support this transition, the FAO and the private sector have proposed initiatives aimed at strengthening and resiliently managing farms and promoting agricultural practices adapted to extreme climate conditions.
Tunisia is thus at a crossroads: accelerating citrus exports is a breath of fresh air for the economy, while highlighting the need for a sustainable and innovative agricultural model that can balance economic performance and preservation of natural resources, in order to face the challenges imposed by climate change and ensure the future of its farmers and orchards. In short, these are well-studied measures aimed at guaranteeing a stable future for the country's agricultural sector.
