Threats to Tunisia's Olive Groves

Tunisia is facing a serious threat to its olive groves, with the spread of olive tree tuberculosis, a bacterial disease that endangers its key agricultural economy. This infection, caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas savastanoi, manifests as knotted growths on branches and trunks, reducing tree productivity. The situation is worsening in the region of Melloulech, in the governorate of Mahdia, a central area for olive oil production. The Ministry of Agriculture has launched an urgent program of phytosanitary interventions, involving ⏱️ 1 min of reading. The pathogen spreads primarily through bark lesions, often favored by pruning operations and the use of contaminated agricultural tools. The emergency plan includes the containment of infected areas, pruning of severely affected trees, the removal of residues through controlled burning, as well as preventive treatments in neighboring olive groves. In addition, regional surveillance teams have been deployed in all olive-producing governorates to quickly detect new infection outbreaks. Despite these measures, authorities have not yet released official data on the extent of the damage or the expected production losses. Forecasts for the 2026-2027 olive campaign indicate a nearly 40% drop in production compared to the previous season, and this decline could be even more pronounced with the resurgence of the disease. The situation raises concerns about food security and the profitability of Tunisia's olive groves. The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing emergency measures to mitigate the impact of this crisis, but the question of the resilience of this crop, central to Tunisia's economy, remains unresolved. ⚡ Key points ▸ The