Almonds market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

Almond cultivation has long been a key agricultural activity in Tunisia, particularly in the Sfax region, which accounted for 5 000 t of production from 71 000 ha of almond trees in 2018. National production started at 68 000 t that year and rose to 75 000 t in 2019, but fell sharply to 62 000 t in 2020, pulling market volume down to 61 810 t. A gradual recovery followed, with production reaching 70 437 t and market size 69 873 t by 2023.

The market rebound was aided by efforts to boost domestic consumption and exports. In 2022, the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fishing organized a producer-to-consumer market in Tunis to offer fresh agricultural products at affordable prices, aiming to preserve purchasing power and curb speculation, which supported almond demand. Simultaneously, a support program for companies in local product sectors provided training and accompaniment for export development, strengthening the almond value chain.

By 2024, almond prices in Tunisia showed an upward trend, with an 8% increase in wholesale prices observed, reflecting sustained market demand and inflationary pressures.

Production almonds in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Tunisia ranked as the 10th largest producer of almonds between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of almonds, 2017-2020

World map of production of almonds, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Tunisia's almond production experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 62 000 tonnes of almonds, marking a 17.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 75 000 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 10.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports almonds from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

The market demonstrated significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 307 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 1 355 tonnes, representing a 4.4-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, Tunisia exported 948 tonnes of almonds, a sharp decline of 30.1% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Libya and France were the primary destinations for Tunisia's almond exports in volume terms, together accounting for 94.3% of total flows. Other trading partners each held substantially smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2 times. In 2020, Tunisia's almond exports totaled 1 535 thousand US dollars, representing a decrease of 21.8% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 964 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 89.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tunisia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, France and Libya clearly dominated Tunisia's almond exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.9% of total flows, while other countries held much smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Tunisia in value, 2017-2020

Imports almonds to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Tunisia's almond imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 758 tonnes, which is 13.6% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 41.3%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 16.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (65.4% of imports in volume), Syria (13.5%), and Australia (7.8%) were the main suppliers of almonds to Tunisia, together accounting for 86.8% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.5-fold change between these years. In 2020, Tunisia imported almonds worth 2 651 thousand US dollars, down by 10.4% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 008 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 246.1% occurring that year and the largest decline of 26.2% recorded in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tunisia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Syria played the leading roles in Tunisia's almond imports in value terms, with a combined share of 80.8% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Tunisia in value, 2017-2020