Olive production in the governorate of Ben Arous went down 20% in the current agricultural season, according to statistics from the Local Agricultural Development Authority (CRDA).

The local harvest for this season has reached a 90% progress, with the total production estimated at 8,500 tonnes: down 2,510 tonnes compared to last season’s production which was 6,650 tonnes.

Head of the plant production department at the CRDA Iskandar Haddad told TAP this decline is explained by the lack of rainfall, in addition to the high temperatures that prevailed in the country during this season.

The governorate of Ben Arous has 930,100 trees spread over 7,250 hectares, or about 18% of the total cultivated area and 40% of the total perimeter of fruit trees.

The region has eight oil mills with a processing capacity of 870 tonnes per day, according to the figures of the CRDA.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse