Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian capsicum and pimenta market opened the period at 458 thousand tons in 2018. An anticipated 20% drop in pepper production signaled a contraction, which materialized in 2019 as volume fell to 435 thousand tons amid government price control campaigns that lowered fresh produce costs. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further reduced market volume to 419 thousand tons by disrupting agricultural supply chains and consumption patterns.

A post-pandemic recovery in 2021 returned market volume to 458 thousand tons, although fresh vegetable prices rose sharply due to a relative tightening of supply. The following year, volume retreated to 424 thousand tons as wholesale pepper prices reached elevated levels, driven by higher costs for heated greenhouses and persistent water scarcity, even as producers adopted drip irrigation and geothermal greenhouses to sustain output.

Market volume rebounded to 451 thousand tons in 2023, supported by an abundant supply of fresh produce that decelerated price growth. This trend of increased availability continued into 2024, illustrated by a 23% drop in sweet pepper wholesale prices, while ongoing tax exemptions for new enterprises and digitalization of business services encouraged further market participation.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia maintained the 11th position globally in terms of capsicum and pimenta fruit production volume.

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Capsicum and pimenta fruit production in Tunisia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Tunisia produced 420.0 K t of these fruits, marking a gradual reduction of 3.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 9.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, Tunisia's capsicum and pimenta fruit production volume declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 667.4 M $ US, representing a 4.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 702.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Tunisia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 528 t and peaked in 2018 at 1 130 t, with a 2.1-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, foreign capsicum and pimenta fruit supplies from Tunisia amounted to 1 121 t, showing a sharp year-over-year increase of 112.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 53.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Libya, and Russia formed the core of exports in kind, accounting for 85.3% of total flows. Specifically, the Netherlands contributed 59.8% of exports, Libya 16.6%, and Russia 8.9%.

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 market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Export volumes bottomed out in 2019 at 851 K $ US and peaked in 2020 at 1 781 K $ US, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.1 times. In 2020, Tunisia's capsicum and pimenta fruit export volume amounted to 1 781 K $ US, marking an intense year-over-year uptick of 109.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 47.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Russia, and Libya were the core markets for exports in value terms, together representing 77.7% of total flows. The Netherlands accounted for 60.5% of exports, Russia for 10.8%, and Libya for 6.4%.

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

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

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Tunisia's capsicum and pimenta fruit imports increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 123 t, up by 32.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 54.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 93 t, which also saw the largest decline of 54.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Egypt and Libya were the dominant sources for capsicum and pimenta fruit imports to Tunisia, jointly accounting for 97.8% of total flows, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

In 2020, Tunisia's capsicum and pimenta fruit import volume amounted to 20 K $ US, representing a 4.9% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 46.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 19 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 44 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 56.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 17.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt and Libya remained the main markets for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 93.4% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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