Gafsa pistachio harvest forecast to reach 4,900 tonnes
Production in Tunisia’s leading pistachio-growing governorate is expected to rise by around 14 per cent, with harvesting due to begin in mid-July.
Gafsa is expected to produce 4,900 tonnes of pistachios during the current agricultural season, an increase of 600 tonnes compared with last year.
The forecast was released by the crop production department at Gafsa’s Regional Agricultural Development Commission. Production reached 4,300 tonnes during the previous season.
Gafsa ranks first among Tunisia’s governorates for pistachio production, followed by Kasserine, according to Kaïs Chalbi, head of the department.
The anticipated increase represents growth of around 14 per cent from last year’s crop.
Young orchards enter production
Pistachio cultivation in Gafsa covers 20,102 hectares and includes approximately 2.87 million trees.
Around 12,250 hectares depend on rainfall, while 7,852 hectares are irrigated. Average production is estimated at 1.1 kilograms for each rain-fed tree and four kilograms for each irrigated tree.
Chalbi attributed the improvement in output and productivity partly to younger plantations beginning to produce fruit.
Pistachios are grown across all delegations in the governorate. Gafsa North, Sidi Aïch, Oum Larayes and Gafsa South are among the largest producing areas.
Harvest to start in mid-July
The harvesting season is scheduled to begin in the middle of July.
Regional agricultural services have organised awareness campaigns to help farmers protect the crop. The guidance has covered the treatment of fungal infections and measures to prevent damage from weevils and other pests.
Much of Gafsa’s crop is sold directly from the trees before harvest. Pistachios are then marketed outside the governorate or sold through weekly markets, local markets and permanent roadside stalls.
A dedicated pistachio market has operated in Gafsa city since 2024, providing producers and traders with a specialised point for selling the regional crop.