Date Harvesting Season Begins in Southern Tunisia
Under the clear sky of Kébili, the oases come back to life with the rhythm of the first baskets of dates being carefully brought down from the palm trees. A sweet fragrance fills the air, symbolizing abundance and promise. The harvest season has just begun, announcing weeks of excitement throughout southern Tunisia, where each Deglet Ennour date regime embodies the pride of a region and the fruit of a year's patience and dedication.
A New Harvest Season
Under the bright October sun, the oases of southern Tunisia wake up to the rhythm of the first golden Deglet Ennour dates being carefully detached from the palm trees. In Kébili, the date harvest season has officially started, marking a highlight of the agricultural year and a time of celebration for the entire region.
Effervescence in the Oases
Everywhere, excitement is palpable: producers are busy in the palm groves, workers climb the slender trunks, while trucks line up to transport the first shipments to the packaging units. The atmosphere is both festive and laborious, driven by the hope of a promising harvest, both in quality and quantity.
Promising Harvest
Forecasts announce a production of around 300,000 tons, including nearly 284,000 tons of the prestigious Deglet Ennour, the true pride of southern Tunisia and ambassador of Tunisian oasian know-how around the world. This season promises to be exceptional, the result of hard work throughout the year to maintain, protect, and enhance the palm trees.
Collaboration and Preparation
Agricultural services, producers' associations, and processing units have joined forces to ensure a smooth campaign, from harvest to export. In the oases of Douz, Zafrane, and El Mseïda, the sweet fragrance of freshly picked dates fills the air.
A Traditional Know-How
The precise gestures of the pickers perpetuate an ancestral know-how passed down from generation to generation, symbolizing a deep attachment to the land and oasian culture. Beyond the harvest, this period is also one of conviviality and sharing: markets come alive, festivals are prepared, and the entire region transforms into a vast space of life and commerce.
The Date: A Symbol of Local Economy
The date becomes more than just a fruit here: it is the soul of a local economy, a living heritage, a link between the desert and humans. With a significant portion of production destined for export, particularly to European and Asian markets, Tunisian dates once again confirm their international reputation.
The Challenge Ahead
The challenge now is to enhance added value through transformation, diversification of derived products, and promotion of local brands. Thus, the 2025 season marks not only the beginning of a harvest but also the renewed hope of a growing sector, symbolizing the wealth and resilience of southern Tunisia.
By Hafedh TRABELSI
