Cherries market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

Cherry production in Tunisia is highly concentrated in the Makthar region of Siliana governorate, which accounts for 90% of national output from approximately 700 hectares of cultivated land. The recognition of cherries as a nutritious and health-beneficial fruit has supported local demand. From 2018 to 2020, market volume fluctuated between 4 527 and 4 706 tons, with a peak in 2019.

Production recovered in 2021 to 4 716 tons despite ongoing threats from pests like the citrus leafminer and cochineal scale, which damaged various fruit crops. However, in 2022, direct infestations of stink bugs and drosophila flies significantly reduced cherry harvests, leading some growers to cut back or halt production. This caused market volume to drop to 4 592 tons and triggered a sharp price increase to 50–60 dinars per kilogram due to product scarcity.

By 2023, production stabilized at 4 575 tons, with market volume reaching 4 557 tons, only marginally below the previous year's level, indicating market adjustment to production challenges.

Production cherries in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cherries, 2017-2020

World map of production of cherries, 2017-2020

Tunisia's cherry production experienced a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 4 707 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 4 533 tonnes, representing a modest 3.7% decrease. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 4.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 4.2%.

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

Exports cherries from Tunisia

Exports in kind, kg

Export volumes of cherries from Tunisia showed considerable volatility during the observed period. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at just 1 404 kilograms, while the peak occurred in 2017. This represents a dramatic 17-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports rebounded strongly to 5 426 kilograms, marking a substantial 286.5% increase compared to the previous year. The most significant decline took place in 2018, when exports fell by 82.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia's cherry exports were concentrated in three main markets: Kuwait accounted for 55.0% of export volumes, Qatar for 15.5%, and Libya for 14.0%. Together, these three destinations represented 84.6% of Tunisia's total cherry exports during this period.

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

The value of Tunisia's cherry exports displayed significant volatility throughout the observed period. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at $6 841 US, while the peak occurred in 2017. This represents an 11-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, export values surged to $26 021 US, marking a dramatic 280.4% increase compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, when export values fell by 82.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tunisia's cherry export revenues were dominated by three key markets: Kuwait accounted for 50.2% of export value, Qatar for 28.5%, and Saudi Arabia for 8.2%. Collectively, these three markets represented 86.9% of Tunisia's total cherry export revenues during this period.

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

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

Imports cherries to Tunisia

As noted in the sector overview, Tunisia did not import any cherries between 2017 and 2020.