CHEMLALI
Country: Tunisia
Purpose: Oil
Synonyms: “Beldi”, “Chaibi”, “Tounsia”, “Zaiati”
Diffusion: 1 continent
Africa
Tunisia: an “olive forest” under very low rainfall
In Africa, Chemlali is documented as a Tunisian cultivar and as a hallmark of large-scale olive landscapes in the centre-south, especially around Sfax. In these territories, olive growing has long been associated with strong aridity and annual rainfall around 200 mm, shaping strategies that are consistent with predominantly rainfed conditions.
A variety that structures the national olive landscape
Technical and scientific sources describe Chemlali as a widely dominant variety in Tunisia, with a broad presence across the main olive-growing areas of the country. This “structuring” role is part of the territorial identity, contributing to long-term continuity and a clearly recognizable olive landscape.
Oil profile: a recognisable chemical signature
Specialist references report a characteristic compositional profile for Chemlali Sfax oil, often described as relatively lower in oleic acid and higher in palmitic acid compared with other cultivars. From a territorial perspective, this signature helps read the link between variety and environment without adding claims that cannot be demonstrated.
Agronomic and commercial considerations: Cultivar of very ancient origin. It makes up the forest of ‘Sfax’, an area characterised by an average rainfall of 200 mm with variations ranging from 80 to 350 mm depending on the year. It is the most important and most represented variety in the country. The plant is very vigorous and highly rustic. The entry into production is late. It is self-compatible and of high productivity and alternate. The fruit ripens late, arranged in compact, sometimes numerous, clusters. The oil yield is medium-high, and it is very characteristic both chemically and organoleptically. Resistant to drought and moderately tolerant to salinity. It is sensitive to olive knot (Pseudomonas savastanoi).