Morocco accounts for 20% of Tunisian date exports

For several months, a campaign urging the boycott of Algerian dates has been circulating on Moroccan social media, driven by ongoing diplomatic tensions between Morocco and Algeria. This initiative has seemingly boosted the appeal of Egyptian and Tunisian dates, which are viewed as quality alternatives. In the months leading up to Ramadan, which falls in March this year, imports have reached record levels.

By the end of December 2024, Morocco had become the destination for 19.7% of Tunisia's date exports, significantly surpassing Italy at 7.5% and Turkey at 6.8%.

«Driven by Moroccan demand, Tunisian exports increased by 11.4% in revenue by the end of December 2024, reaching 342.2 million dinars (MD)», according to the National Agriculture Observatory (ONAGRI). This surge is accompanied by a 10.5% rise in exported volumes, totaling 51,300 tons during the first three months of the 2024/2025 campaign.

It is noteworthy that in 2023, Morocco was the world's second-largest importer of dates, following India. Dates remain the top category of imported fruits and vegetables in the country, despite a rise in domestic production. The primary sources of these imports include the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria.