TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia aims to raise phosphate production about five-fold to 14 million metric tons in 2030, the government said on Wednesday, part of a plan which seeks to restore the vital sector to help revive Tunisia’s faltering public finances.
Tunisia was once one of the world’s largest producers of phosphate minerals, which are used to make fertilisers, but its market share fell after the 2011 revolution. Since then, localised protests and strikes have steadily cut into production and caused billions of dollars in losses.
Tunisia currently produces less than 3 million tons of phosphate per year, down from about 8.2 million tons in 2010.
The North Africa country, which is suffering from a severe financial crisis, is seeking to regain its position as a leading phosphate exporter to take advantage of sharp increases in fertilizer prices.
The government said in a statement following a cabinet meeting that it had approved a programme to develop phosphate production and transportation during the 2025-2030 period.
“Phosphate is national wealth that must regain its position, which has always contributed significantly to strengthening the financial resources, thus helping the economy recover”, the statement said.
(Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Leslie Adler)
