TUNISIA
Location
Tunisia is a small country by North African standards,
sandwiched between the much larger countries of Algeria to the west
and Libya to the southeast. The northernmost country in Africa,
Tunisia is bounded on the north and east by the Mediterranean. It
covers an area of 163,610 km², measuring 1200 km from north to
south and an average of 280 km from east to west. Northern Tunisia
has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry
summers. Toward the south the climate becomes progressively hotter
and drier.
Agricultural sector
Even though Tunisia is on its way to become a modern service
economy, the agricultural sector is still of vital importance,
contributing 12.6 % of GDP and employing almost one quarter of the
country's labour force. Agricultural produce represents about 6 %
of the country's export earnings. The main cereal crops are wheat
and barley. Tunisian farmers grow olives, dates and fresh fruits
for both export and domestic consumption. Meat (chicken, sheep and
cattle) and vegetables (tomatoes and potatoes) represent important
comestible goods as well. The main agricultural export is olive oil
(FAO, 14.07.2006). The European Union is the country's principal
trading partner (ITC, 10.09.2006).
Overview of organic farming
Organic agriculture is relatively new in Tunisia. However, in
the last ten years, organic land area, number of farmers, and crop
diversification increased rapidly. With 155,323 hectares under
organic management, that represent 1.59 % of total agricultural
area, Tunisia has now one of the most developed organic sectors in
Africa (IFOAM & FiBL 2006). This favourable trend is largely
due to an active government policy in the promotion of organic
agriculture (IFOAM 2003). Since there is not yet a strong domestic
demand market for organic products, most of the production is
directed to the export market. Some of the farmers are producers
and exporters at the same time.
Key organic products
About three quarters of organic land in Tunisia is dedicated to
growing olives, many of which are processed into oil. Organic olive
farmers receive a price premium ranging from 10 to 20 % relative to
non-organic products (Twarog 2006). Other crops include dates,
jojoba, almonds, fruits and vegetables, honey and aromatic plants
(IFOAM 2003). In recent years, organic livestock husbandry in
Tunisia has expanded significantly.
The network
Organic agriculture in Tunisia started in the eighties with
private initiatives. However, the breakthrough came in the
mid-nineties when the Tunisian government established a national
strategy for the development of the organic sector. This program
included the establishment of a national commission for organic
agriculture (CTAB) and the provision of financial support. Over the
first five years after conversion, organic farmers are eligible for
financial help covering up to 30% of investment costs for equipment
and 70% of certification costs (GTZ, 2003).
Four certification bodies licensed by the Ministry of
Agriculture are operating in Tunisia: ECOCERT, IMC, LACON and BCS.
They comply with the IFOAM standards, EU regulations and Tunisian
legislation.
Centre Technique de l'Agriculture Biologique (CTAB)
Coordinator: Mohamed Ben Kheder
B.P. 54 Chott Mariem
4042 Sousse, Tunisia
Tel.: + 216 733 462 78 / 79
Fax: + 216 733 462 77
Email: ctab@iresa.agrinet.tn
Website: www.ctab.nat.tn
External Support
The Tunisia organic agriculture sector has been receiving
support from the following external organisations amongst
others:
Capacity Building Task
Force on Trade, Environment and Development (CBTF)
International
Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM)
International
Society for Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR)
Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO)
Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (Italy)
Research Institute of
Organic Agriculture (FiBL - Germany)
Research
Institute of Organic Agriculture (Switzerland)
Technical
Institute of Organic Agriculture (France)
References
- FAO, 14.07.2006: Key Statistics of Food and Agriculture
External Trade. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United
Nations (FAO), Statistics Division. URL:
www.fao.org/es/ess/toptrade/trade.asp?dir=exp&country=3&ryear=2004
and www.fao.org/es/ess/top/country.html?lang=en
- IFOAM (2003): Organic and Like-Minded Movements in Africa.
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM),
Bonn, pp.102-108.
- IFOAM & FiBL (2006): The World of Organic Agriculture.
Statistics and Emerging Trends 2006. International Federation of
Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Bonn & Research
Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, pp. 27-35.
- ITC, 10.09.2006: TradeMap. Trade Statistics for International
Business Development. International Trade Centre (ITC), Market
Analysis Section.
http://www.trademap.net/itc1/en/country_figure.htm?typetrade=E&selctry=788&product=TOTAL&reporter=Y
- Twarog, Sophia (2006): Organic Agriculture: A Trade and
Sustainable Development Opportunity for Developing Countries. In:
Trade and Environment Review 2006. United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Geneva.