Handcrafted pure olive wood products from Sfax, Tunisia since 2007.
CHITRA-OliveWood offers olive wood products for several destinations in the world. We provide olive wood items made in Tunisia and precisely from Sfax, the city known for its olive trees for a long time.
We have been carrying out this activity since 2007. Our process of finishing and treating olive wood with natural wax without chemicals guarantees the quality and food safety.
We provide various items for kitchen utensils, serveware and cooking tools:
Our products are all handcrafted from pure olive wood, refreshingly natural, well known for being hard, durable, food safe and eco-friendly.
We are at your disposal for all your questions.
Best regards
Timeless Craftsmanship
Established 2007
Sfax, Tunisia's olive capital, embodies a millennial heritage where the sacred tree has shaped the economy, traditions, and craftsmanship.
The olive tree has been present in Tunisia for over 2,000 years, introduced by the Phoenicians and refined by the Romans, who transformed the Sfax desert into thriving orchards until the 7th century. A symbol of peace and prosperity, it became central to daily life with ritual and culinary uses from antiquity.
In the early 20th century, pioneers like Paul Bourde sparked explosive growth: by 1931, the olive forest spanned 455,000 hectares, making Sfax Tunisia's olive powerhouse. Post-independence (1956), it covers hundreds of thousands of hectares, producing most national olive oil. In 2025-2026, Sfax targets 100,000 tons of oil from a record 515,000-ton olive harvest, despite climate challenges.
In past Sfax households (Ottoman and Beylical eras), olive wood from tree prunings crafted kitchen utensils (spoons, bowls, mortars), farming tools, and decor. Hygienic, durable, and antibacterial, it was heirloomed across generations, odor-resistant for daily use. Women used it for cutting boards and ladles; men carved ritual pieces.
Sfaxien craftsmanship emerged in the 19th century as a family trade, with master artisans working dense wood from centenarian trees. From modest workshops, they upcycled trimmings via manual turning and carving, without felling trees—creating unique pieces. This nature-respecting skill has made Sfax a global hub for olive wood craftsmanship.
From the 1990s-2000s, rising demand from European and American consumers—drawn to olive wood's durability and beauty—spurred industrialization in Sfax. Companies like ours (CHITRA since 2002) mechanized drying and finishing while preserving artisanal methods: sustainable pruning, natural wax, advanced logistics exports. By 2026, fueled by e-commerce and eco-trends, Sfax leads globally with hybrid artisan-industrial production meeting international standards. Today, this evolution enables CHITRA Olive Wood to export thousands of pieces yearly, bridging ancient legacy and sustainable future.
2,000+ Years of Heritage
The olive tree has shaped Sfax's identity
Artisanal Excellence
Handcrafted with ancestral expertise
455K
Hectares of olive groves
515K
Tons olive harvest