Head of Tunisian olive oil firm held on corruption suspicion
The head of CHO group, Tunisia’s leading olive oil exporter, has been detained on suspicion of corruption, local media reported on November 11th according to the Arab News via AFP.
Business News, a website in Tunisia, said the detention of CHO president Abdelaziz Makhloufi had been extended until November 12th, citing sources familiar with the case.
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CHO group is known internationally for its Terra Delyssa olive oil, while Makhloui is also known domestically for being the president of the football club CS Sfaxien.
He was questioned first on November 2nd in an investigation into suspected corruption in the management of state-owned lands Henchir Chaal in which there are 360,000 olive plants, according to local media.
Mosaique FM reported that 15 people are being prosecuted, including a former agriculture minister. Kais Saied has said fighting corruption is a priority for his government.
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Oliver Oil is one of Tunisia’s main agricultural exports, with figures foreseeing production of about 340,000 tons in the 2024-25 season, placing Tunisia ahead of Greece and Italy and alongside Turkey, although still a distance behind Spain’s 1.3 million.
Authorities in Tunisia expert a 50% rise in the export of olive oil this year, at about 300,000 tons.
AFP
