(Ecofin Agency) - In Tunisia, the olive oil sector is about to experience significant changes. The first step of this succession of reforms is going to be the introduction of a label on national production starting from the next season. “To thrive on this extremely challenging international market, the valorization of the olive sector should be based on differentiation and designation of origin of olive oil,” says Narjes El Hammar, Director of Centre Technique de l’Agroalimentaire (CTAA.

Moreover it should be highlighted that this labeling will allow for the implementation of a tracking system for Tunisian olive oil as well as reinforce consumers’ trust in the product. The Director, who announced that the country was ready to launch this procedure in 2016, declared that Tunisia already passed all clearance and control procedures related to the label, during the previous season.

Asides the labeling, the plan for the promotion of olive sector will also be launched in 2016. The initiative set as a goal to level annual output to 230,000 tons five years from now. To this end, farming lands are to be increased to 100,000 acres with 25,000 acres of irrigated plantations, African Manager reports.

Tunisia projects an output of 150,000 of oil at the end of the new season. The country was ranked first exporter of the product worldwide during the previous season, as a result of the various challenges faced by is main rivals namely Italy and Spain.