President of the Republic, Kais Saied, Receives Minister of Agriculture
Meeting at the Carthage Palace to Discuss Current Agricultural Season and Export Preparations
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, President Kais Saied received the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, Ezzedine Bencheikh, at the Carthage Palace. According to a statement from the presidency, the meeting focused on the current agricultural season and preparations for the export campaign, particularly for Tunisian dates, which are expected to have an exceptionally abundant harvest this year.
Reaction to Exclusion from Export Campaign
On this occasion, the Head of State strongly reacted to the publication of a statement mentioning the exclusion of a brotherly country from the Tunisian date export campaign, describing this approach as "irresponsible". President Saied affirmed that he would demand accountability from the author of the document, emphasizing that Tunisia is currently working to open new markets to enhance the value of its local dates, a symbol of its agricultural heritage.
"Our brothers will always remain our brothers, despite differences in approaches or positions," he declared, adding: "Our choices are sovereign, and we will no longer accept any interference in our decisions."
Record Harvest and Support for Small Farmers
President Saied also welcomed the record harvest recorded this year in several agricultural sectors, including dates, wheat, and olive oil, made possible by beneficial rainfall after several years of drought. To make the most of this exceptional production, he ordered the strengthening of support for small farmers, particularly for extraction, storage, and financing operations, through the simplification of credit procedures.
Export of Tunisian Olive Oil
He also called for accelerating the export of Tunisian olive oil to new markets, while emphasizing the need for products to be packaged locally and bear the Tunisian flag, to ensure their visibility and valorization internationally.
