Algerian date exports could reach 60,000 tonnes by 2014, according to the president of the interprofessional committee for the date sector, Salim Haddoud, DonneTonneAvis.fr has reported.
Mr Haddoud identified a number of areas that required improvement if this objective was to be met, including logistics and packaging challenges.
He said that, of a production volume of nearly 600,000 tonnes in 2009, Algeria, which stands as the second biggest producer in the world, exported only 12,000 tonnes at a value of US$20m.
For 2010, Mr Haddoud forecast that volumes would remain stable. With the support of the state, however, including seasonal interest-free overdraft facilities, exports could rise by 20 per cent from 2011, he added.
