Tunisia’s olive oil exports climb 55.3% to 368,000 tonnes
Tunisia exported 368,000 tonnes of olive oil in the first nine months of the 2025/2026 season, generating 4.6053 billion dinars. Extra-virgin oil represented 83.6% of volume, while the European Union absorbed 57.1% of shipments.
Export volume reaches a record level
Tunisia exported 368,000 tonnes of olive oil during the first nine months of the 2025/2026 season, according to an agricultural report covered by Express FM. That was a record increase of 55.3% from 236,900 tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous season.
Export revenue rose by 44.4% to 4.6053 billion Tunisian dinars, compared with 3.190 billion dinars a year earlier. The faster growth in volume than in revenue indicates that the average value generated per exported tonne was lower across the nine-month comparison, even though July prices were slightly higher year on year.
Extra-virgin oil dominates shipments
Express FM, citing Tunisia’s National Observatory of Agriculture, said rising global demand—particularly for extra-virgin olive oil—drove the increase. Extra-virgin oil accounted for 83.6% of total exported volume, making it the central product behind the season’s trade performance.
Most exports nevertheless continued to leave Tunisia in bulk. Bulk oil represented 86% of volume, while packaged shipments accounted for 14%. Packaged exports increased by 50.8%, from 34,100 tonnes to 51,500 tonnes, and generated 18.6% of total olive oil export revenue during the period. This revenue share exceeded their volume share, reflecting the higher value associated with packaged products.
EU and North America lead demand
By the end of July 2026, Tunisian olive oil had reached more than 70 countries. The European Union received 57.1% of exported volume, led by Spain with 32.1% and Italy with 20%. The figures underline the importance of European processors and commercial channels for Tunisia’s predominantly bulk exports.
North America ranked second with a 24% share, comprising the United States at 19.2% and Canada at 4.8%. Asian markets represented 11.3%, including Saudi Arabia at 4.6% and Jordan at 3.1%. Africa accounted for 3.8%, with Egypt alone taking 3.3%.
Organic exports add 673.2 million dinars
Organic olive oil exports reached about 51,200 tonnes, valued at 673.2 million dinars. Italy was the largest destination for this category with 38% of volume, followed by Spain at 26%, the United States at 23% and France at 8%. Only 6.2% of organic exports were packaged, leaving the segment heavily oriented toward bulk trade.
The average organic olive oil price was 13.16 dinars per kilogram, ranging from 12.93 dinars for bulk oil to 16.56 dinars for packaged oil. Across all olive oil categories, the average price in July 2026 rose 1.4% year on year, from 12.97 to 13.16 dinars per kilogram, with prices by category ranging between 8.22 and 17 dinars.
