"This year, the artichoke campaign has been rather early due to the weather. Unfortunately only little produce was exported, meaning that a lot went to the canning industry with very low prices for the period. In Italy, we sell our produce in the Verona wholesale market at €0.24 in 24-piece crates," explains Mario Tropea from Sa.Ro. Import Export, who has been working in Tunisia with business partner Rejeb Boubaker for 10 years. In addition to artichokes, the company also works with potatoes, pumpkins, dried tomatoes and watermelons.
The pumpkin campaign is about to start with prices of €0.45 for bins for minimum 7 kg grades. Quantities are good and quality is exceptional.
"For what concerns potatoes, 80% of the production is of the Spunta variety, which is popular on the Tunisian domestic market but which is also doing well when exported. Grades are 45/70. 10% of the production is of the Bellini variety and the rest is of the Nicola variety, which is only cultivated under contract. Potatoes are sold in 10 kg big bags and crates but various types of packaging are available upon request."
"For potatoes, the Tunisian company is delivering at €0.50 in big bags, but only to packaging warehouses. Wholesale markets are not good channels for exports at the moment."
The production area stretches from the south to the north of the country - Gafsa, Sidi Busid, Ergheb, Beja and Jenduba. "We sell our produce to Italy and part of France, but we are available for any nation or port. The only problems in Italy are represented by the constantly changing custom duties and the many limitations, while there are no problems in France."
