Aubergines market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian aubergine market opened the period with a volume of 846 tons in 2018, supported by an 18% increase in seasonal vegetable supply that boosted availability, while the introduction of a specific harmonized system code (07093000) clarified customs and labeling rules for trade. Market volume then contracted to 802 tons in 2019, following economic control campaigns that deliberately reduced the supply of vegetables at the wholesale level, constraining overall market size. The year also saw the enforcement of the Food Safety Law (No. 2019-25), establishing new traceability requirements for fresh produce.

Market volume saw a modest recovery to 816 tons in 2020, as domestic production increased despite reported supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. A dramatic shift occurred in 2021 when the market surged to 1,033 tons, driven almost entirely by a spike in imports to 314 tons. The subsequent year brought a sharp correction, with volume plummeting to 685 tons in 2022 after imports fell to zero; this coincided with the Ministry of Industry reinforcing food safety compliance requirements for producers, potentially restricting import flows, while rising fertilizer costs added pressure on domestic production expenses.

By 2023, the market had partially rebounded to 766 tons. Investments in cold chain modernization and preservation technology, highlighted in industry reports, facilitated better storage and distribution efficiency for fresh aubergines. Concurrently, a growing organic products segment and emerging water scarcity concerns began influencing producer strategies, setting the context for ongoing market evolution.

Production aubergines in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

Tunisia's aubergine production reached 723.3 t in 2020, marking a 2.6% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 704.7 t, which also saw the largest decline of 1.7%.

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

Exports aubergines from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Aubergine exports from Tunisia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.7 t, representing a 93.0% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 99.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 79.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Libya were the dominant export markets for aubergines in kind, accounting for 68.5% and 14.5% of total flows, respectively. Together, they represented 83.0% of exports, with the remaining volume distributed among other partners.

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, $ US

Aubergine export revenues from Tunisia declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 1 059 US dollars, a 92.6% drop from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export revenues decreased by 98.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -76.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main markets for aubergine exports in value terms were France, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates, with shares of 42.2%, 21.3%, and 13.4%, respectively. This cluster accounted for 76.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports aubergines to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2018 at 139.5 t and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 3.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tunisia imported {context} t of aubergines, reflecting a significant decline of 12.3% from the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 23.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 269.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt dominated Tunisia's aubergine imports in kind, accounting for 91.6% of total flows, while other countries made up the remainder.

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, $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Imports peaked in 2018 at 18 853 US dollars and bottomed in 2017, with a 3.6-fold difference. In 2020, aubergine imports into Tunisia totaled 14 627 US dollars, which is 10.6% lower than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 13.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 264.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Egypt consistently represented 88.2% of Tunisia's total aubergine imports in value terms, highlighting a high concentration on this market. 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