Tunisia – Cereal harvest estimated between 12 and 15 million quintals

Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane from the General Directorate of Agricultural Production reported on Monday, May 20, 2024, that the first estimate shows that the cereal harvest will be average or below average, between 12 and 15 million quintals, indicating that it will surpass last year’s harvest of approximately 5.3 million quintals.

Ben Romdhane clarified that normal production rates are between 17 and 18 million quintals, emphasizing the need for farmers to prepare well for the harvest season.

It is estimated that 9 million quintals of durum wheat were acquired, while the quantities of soft wheat fell to between 280 and 300 thousand quintals.

He emphasised that there is a bet on the reserve stock of barley, which will provide significant quantities to disaster areas.

He confirmed that preparations for the harvest season started some time ago, as harvesting machines were modified and farmers were trained to reduce the significant loss rate, which exceeds 10 percent due to lack of adaptation of harvesters.

He added: “We will continue the program until the end of May to include all the governorates involved,” noting that the collection centres will be subject to the specifications and that a deadline has been set for the old companies to be put at the level.

He underlined that there is a significant difference between modern and old collection centers, stressing that this season 197 centers will be opened, including 10 new ones.

Ben Romdhane revealed that the experimentation of cereal crops in the south is a typical experiment launched this year and has given promising results despite the difficulties, since it will be of the order of 100 hectares this year and the experimentation will continue with the aim of gradually reaching 10 thousand hectares.