Tunisian President Kais Saied has sharply criticized the recent statement issued by the Tunisian Professional Dates Association announcing the suspension of «Deglet Nour» date exports to Morocco, calling it an irresponsible declaration that warrants questioning those behind it. During a meeting at the Carthage Palace with the Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries, Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, Saied stressed that «at a time when Tunisia is striving to open new markets for its date exports, such an irresponsible statement is released — one that excludes a brotherly country and demands accountability from its author». He added: «Our brothers will always remain our brothers. How can one brother exclude another, even if they differ in approaches or positions? Our choices are our own, and we will not accept interference from anyone. Yet our bonds of kinship are our history, indeed, our destiny, built on mutual respect». A few days earlier, the Tunisian Joint Professional Dates Association had announced that its board of directors, meeting on October 10, decided to authorize exports to all global markets except Morocco, without providing any explanation for this unexpected decision.
