In Tunisia, the Sea Salt Harvest is in Full Swing

November 10, 2024- As October begins, a silent ballet of tractors, trucks, and other mechanical equipment sets into motion at dawn in the salt marshes of Zarzis, in southern Tunisia. At first glance, the scene could evoke the sight of an agricultural convoy during the harvest season. However, this convoy of machines is preparing for a harvest unlike any other: sea salt, whose methods are closely tied to agriculture.

The harvest follows a meticulous process. It always begins at dawn when the temperatures are still cool, preventing the salt crystals from re-dissolving. In the soft light and quiet, interrupted only by the hum of machines, the operation appears almost choreographed. Every minute counts, as the heat or desert winds, which can rise at any moment, might complicate the harvest.

The salt harvesters advance methodically along the salt flats. It is in these perfectly flat basins that the evaporating seawater has revealed a thin layer of salt, white as snow. Synchronization between man and machine is crucial: while the harvesters scrape the salt crystals formed on the surface, the trucks follow their pace, ready to transport this precious harvest to the drying facilities.

A 100% Natural and Sustainable Product

The Zarzis salt marsh is operated by Mare Alb, Tunisia's leading sea salt producer. Founded over 50 years ago, the company produces exclusively sea salt, obtained through natural evaporation in its three salt pans along the Tunisian coast. In addition to Zarzis, the company also operates salt marshes in Sousse and Sfax and packages all its production in Tunisia. Its table salt brand, Le Flamant, can be found in most Tunisian households. Its production is also highly sought after by industries, especially in Northern Europe and Scandinavia, and is prized by chefs for its fleur de sel, harvested in Tunisia.

Mare Alb promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly production conditions, ensuring the high purity of its salt. Seawater, directly pumped from the Mediterranean, is channeled into large settling basins where impurities such as algae and sediments sink to the bottom. After this initial step, the water passes through a series of channels and basins, exposed to the sun and wind, to gradually evaporate. The seawater thus becomes concentrated with salt, containing up to ten times more than in its original state.

At the end of a six-month process, across a circuit that can span up to 50 kilometers, 90% of the water has evaporated by the time it reaches the final evaporation basins, the "salt flats," where the harvest takes place. The salt then crystallizes at the bottom of the basins, forming solid aggregations.

Once formed, these crystals are carefully scraped by the harvester blades, which avoid disturbing the bottom of the basins. It is a highly precise task that can only be carried out by well-trained salt workers. The blades must only skim the fine layer of surface crystals, ensuring salt of the highest quality.

The Essential Role of Truck Drivers

The role of the truck drivers is just as crucial as that of the harvesters. With each pass of the machine, the trucks position themselves to collect the harvest in perfect synchronization. Once the trucks are full, they travel along the unpaved saline roads, covered with hardened salt residues, to transport the precious load to the washing and drying sites. These roads are designed to support the machinery and prevent any contamination of the salt.

The trucks themselves, subjected to harsh conditions due to the high salinity, undergo rigorous maintenance. "After each workday, they are thoroughly washed in our mechanical workshops to prevent corrosion and ensure the longevity of our equipment," says Sfar.

A Natural Product with Strict Standards

Once the salt arrives at Mare Alb's facilities, it undergoes a final washing to remove any remaining impurities, followed by careful drying to ensure its purity. From there, it is packaged according to its future uses: coarse salt for the food industry and high-purity salts for industrial applications, where each grain must be precisely calibrated.

As the salt workers prepare to receive the first loads of salt brought in by the trucks, the mechanical ballet accelerates in the salt pans. The trucks, harvesters, and workers operate in harmony, each playing their part to ensure the success of Mare Alb's salt harvest.

For the Mare Alb teams, this is a well-practiced routine. But behind every movement lies a constant commitment to quality and the perfect mastery of a technical and scientific process. A process that, in this arid region of Tunisia, continues to thrive, powered by the sun, the wind, and the tireless work of those who perpetuate this irreplaceable expertise.