Chocolate and cocoa products market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian market for chocolate and cocoa products experienced notable fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023. After maintaining a level above 11 000 tons from 2018 to 2020, consumption dropped sharply to 6 833 tons in 2021. A recovery followed in 2022, bringing the market to 10 033 tons, before another decline to 9 540 tons in 2023.

The market's rebound in 2022 was shaped by a domestic economic crisis which triggered steep price increases for chocolate, making imports less affordable and enhancing the competitiveness of local production. Simultaneously, chocolate became more entrenched as an essential item for holidays and ceremonies, a shift in consumer preferences that helped sustain demand. These developments supported a rise in domestic output and contributed to the year's higher market volume.

Following the 2022 recovery, the market volume contracted again in 2023, indicating ongoing sensitivity to economic conditions. Over the six-year period, the market did not return to its pre-2021 size, reflecting a lasting impact from the earlier downturn and subsequent volatility.

Production chocolate and cocoa products in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Tunisia ranked as the 25th largest producer of chocolate and cocoa products between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

World map of production of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

In 2020, Tunisia produced 14 973 tonnes of chocolate and cocoa products, marking a significant decline of 11.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 13 721 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 16 903 tonnes. The most substantial increase was observed in 2019, when production surged by 23.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of chocolate and cocoa products in Tunisia was valued at 57 123 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 2.8% decrease from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 49 668 thousand US dollars, and the highest in 2019 at 58 785 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 13.4%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 18.4%.

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

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Tunisia's exports of chocolate and cocoa products declined in 2020, reaching 5 242 tonnes, a 35.5% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 33.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 121 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 59.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya, Algeria, and Yemen were the key partners for Tunisia's exports in kind, accounting for 11.8%, 1.2%, and 0.6% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 13.6% of all export flows.

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

After two years of gains, Tunisia's cross-border shipments of chocolate and cocoa products declined in 2020, with exports valued at 19 998 thousand US dollars, a steep 29.2% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 24.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 28 245 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 53.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Libya, France, and Germany were the primary destinations for Tunisia's exports in value terms, accounting for 8.6%, 1.8%, and 0.8% of total exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries made up 11.2% of all 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 chocolate and cocoa products to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of chocolate and cocoa products to Tunisia declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, with imports amounting to 1 822 tonnes, a 16.9% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 31.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 11.8%.

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

The country composition of Tunisia's imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed, with Turkey, Germany, and France accounting for 22.7%, 13.2%, and 10.0% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries formed just 45.9% of total import flows, while the remaining 54.1% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

Deliveries of chocolate and cocoa products to Tunisia declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with imports valued at 8 499 thousand US dollars, indicating an abrupt 27.9% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 27%, equating to an average annual decline of 9.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 12 162 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.5%.

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

The structure of Tunisia's imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified, with Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland accounting for 25.9%, 9.8%, and 9.6% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented just 45.3% of total import flows, and no single country held a clearly dominant position.

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

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