Barbary Fig Production in Kasserine Gouvernorat to be Valued through Protected Designation of Origin

The Barbary fig, produced in the Kasserine gouvernorat, is currently being valued through the establishment of a protected designation of origin, a move aimed at enhancing its competitiveness on national and international markets, announced the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, Ezzedine Ben Cheikh.

Speaking at the first edition of the competition for the best innovation to valorize the Barbary fig, the minister highlighted that this sector benefits from a strong demand on the local market, while increasingly shifting towards industrial transformation with high added value.

Regarding exports, the minister stated that the average exported volume reached approximately 2,742 tonnes over the period 2021-2025, with an estimated annual value of 3.5 million dinars. The main markets include Libya, as well as destinations in the Gulf, Europe, Africa, and Canada.

The Barbary fig is considered a strategic agricultural sector in Tunisia due to its strong adaptability to difficult climate conditions. It also stands out for its diverse uses, ranging from fresh consumption to transformation into high-value products such as Barbary fig seed oil or vinegar. It is also used in animal feed, while playing an important environmental role in soil fixation and erosion control.

The gouvernorats of Kairouan and Kasserine are among the main production areas, alongside regions with high potential such as Nabeul, Siliana, and Béja.

However, the sector faces growing challenges related to climate change and the spread of the Barbary fig cochineal, which have affected yields and cultivated areas. This situation calls for strengthened scientific research, the development of resistant varieties, and intensified phytosanitary surveillance programs to ensure the sustainability of the sector.

This initiative is part of a joint program between the Professional Group of Fruits and a Tunisian-Swiss cooperation project, funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs are accompanying this project, which aims to structure the value chain of the Barbary fig in Tunisia.

The goal is to support innovation, scientific research, and investment in the transformation of this promising agricultural product, while strengthening coordination between different stakeholders to promote sustainable agricultural development and open up new perspectives for valorization and commercialization.

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