Tunisia’s Prickly Pear Industry Blossoms into a Global Agro-Industrial Success

As summer settles in and the first prickly pears ripen on their cactus pads, Tunisia prepares to launch a new harvest season. Once dismissed as a marginal crop, the prickly pear has now become a symbol of industrial advancement and rural innovation in the country’s interior regions.

Behind this unassuming fruit lies a striking success story in Tunisia’s agro-industrial transformation, particularly in rural areas. Over the past decade, the country has emerged as a global leader in the production of certified organic prickly pear seed oil—a highly sought-after anti-aging cosmetic ingredient that has gained ground in export markets around the world.

From Marginal Crop to Strategic Sector

Tunisia’s cactus-processing sector has undergone a dramatic transformation. In just ten years, the number of processing companies has grown from five to 73—half of which are women-led, a proportion five times higher than the national average across other industries.

The past five years alone have seen the creation of 38 new companies, generating more than 1,400 jobs—both permanent and seasonal—with rural women playing a key role. Between 2020 and 2024, the sector’s total revenue jumped by 140%, underscoring its rapid expansion and economic promise.

Much of this growth has been driven by international cooperation. Since 2013, the Prickly Pear Value Chain has benefited from the Market Access Project for Agro-Food and Local Products (PAMPAT), funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with Tunisia’s Ministries of Agriculture, Industry, and Trade.

Kasserine: A Regional Model of Success

A recent publication by UNIDO, “The Development of a New Agro-Industrial Value Chain in Tunisia – The Case of Organic Prickly Pear”, highlights the evolution of the sector, with a particular focus on the Kasserine region. This interior governorate now accounts for 37% of the national turnover of the prickly pear industry and 30% of total investments since 2013.

In Kasserine, prickly pear farming has become a true engine of local development. The gradual adoption of best agricultural practices, organic certification methods, and professional post-harvest techniques has significantly reshaped the regional economy. The certified organic farming area has quintupled, and the price farmers receive for their fruit has more than tripled in a decade. Women agricultural workers in the region have also seen their daily wages increase by 120%.

A Cornerstone of Tunisian Cosmetics

Beyond local benefits, Tunisia has made a mark on the global stage. Prickly pear seed oil, now exported to five continents, has become the flagship of Tunisia’s emerging cosmetics sector. Today, 55 companies—most led by women—export prickly pear-based products. In 2021, Tunisia became the first country in the world to publish an official technical standard for this oil, reinforcing the industry’s quality commitment.

The international success of prickly pear seed oil has also spurred product diversification. By 2024, nearly 400 new products had entered the market, ranging from gourmet food items to sophisticated cosmetic and parapharmaceutical products. This reflects growing expertise among local firms and a more holistic use of the cactus, in line with principles of circular economy.

Collaboration at the Heart of Growth

One of the key drivers behind the industry’s expansion has been a strong culture of collaboration among stakeholders. Close ties between farmers and processing firms have ensured a smooth value chain—from cultivation to commercialization—encouraging both investment and innovation.

A notable outcome of this collaboration is the public-private promotional initiative under the brand “Organic Cactus Seed Oil – Origin Tunisia,” which aims to enhance global recognition and trust in Tunisian prickly pear products.

In 2018, the National Association for Cactus Development (ANEDEC) was established to unify key players in the sector. ANEDEC now plays a central role in advocacy, promotion, and coordination, representing a major step toward institutional consolidation.

Public Institutions Bolstering Competitiveness

Tunisian public institutions have become increasingly active in supporting the sector’s competitiveness. The Export Promotion Center (CEPEX) now regularly organizes international matchmaking events, while the Agricultural Extension and Training Agency (AVFA) is preparing a continuous training program focused on prickly pear farming. Meanwhile, the Interprofessional Group of Fruits (GIFruits) has announced the launch of “Cactus Innov,” Tunisia’s first innovation competition for the sector.

The National Handicrafts Office has also played a role, recently concluding the inaugural Artiterroir contest, which spotlighted artistic creations inspired by the cactus. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Tourism has begun promoting immersive tourist experiences centered around the prickly pear in regions like Nabeul and Kairouan.

Challenges Ahead: The Threat of Cochineal

Despite its remarkable progress, the sector faces a serious threat: the spread of cochineal, a pest that has affected cactus plantations since 2021. In response, Tunisia’s Ministry of Agriculture has implemented an integrated pest management strategy in collaboration with private partners. This includes the release of natural predators and the introduction of resistant cactus varieties—efforts aimed at safeguarding the sector’s future through sustainable biological control.

A Model for Sustainable Development

Tunisia’s prickly pear industry is now a leading example of sustainable agro-industrial development—one that leverages local resources, encourages entrepreneurship, fosters collaboration, and drives innovation. The new UNIDO report not only documents this success but also provides a roadmap for other emerging sectors. It demonstrates that even value chains initially seen as low-potential can become engines of growth—if built on collective vision, coordinated action, and a shared will to move forward.