The strawberry harvest in the governorate of Nabeul, which accounts for almost 90% of domestic production, is expected to reach 20,000 tonnes this season, compared to 16,000 tonnes in the previous season, said the president of the local agriculture and fisheries union, Imed El Bey.
The areas allocated for strawberry cultivation in the delegations of Korba, Beni Khiar and Dar ChaSbane El Fehri are estimated at 380 hectares (ha) out of 478 ha of planned areas, he told TAP.
The area planted in the previous season was 520 ha, he added, stressing that the decline in strawberry area is explained by climate change and lack of rainfall.
Strawberry growers have faced a number of challenges in recent seasons, including water scarcity and rising production costs due to high prices for agricultural produce and nursery stock.
The strawberry season lasts for 6 months and provides 200,000 days of work for workers inside and outside the governorate.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse