Citrus fruit market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

Tunisia's citrus fruit market volume reached 1.4 million tonnes in 2018, with the sector facing saturation in traditional export markets and a heavy reliance on sales to France. Production rose to 1.6 million tonnes in 2019 before contracting to 1.5 million tonnes in 2020.

The market recovered to 1.6 million tonnes in 2021 but fell again to 1.4 million tonnes in 2022, a year when citrus exports generated close to $7 million in revenue. A modest increase to 1.5 million tonnes followed in 2023, as persistent drought limited the impact of a forecasted production surge, while the industry contended with logistical hurdles and growing competition from Moroccan citrus. During this period, the sector also saw emerging investment in research, including the introduction of a new leaf-analysis standard to improve irrigation efficiency.

Production citrus fruit in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Tunisia was among the world's leading citrus fruit producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 27th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Citrus fruit production in Tunisia showed a mixed trend over the 2017-2020 period. After increasing for two consecutive years, output declined in 2020 to 1 475.2 thousand tonnes, marking a 10.3% decrease compared to 2019. Despite this recent drop, production grew by 20.2% overall from 2017 to 2020, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 644.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 16.1%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Tunisia's citrus fruit exports experienced significant changes between 2017 and 2020. In 2020, cross-border shipments totaled 10 543 tonnes, representing a sharp 40.6% decline from the previous year. Over the entire four-year period, exports decreased by 39.9%, translating to an annualized reduction rate of 15.6%. The peak export volume occurred in 2019 at 17 747 tonnes, which also recorded the largest annual increase of 27.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France dominated Tunisia's citrus fruit exports in volume terms, accounting for 85.2% of total shipments. The remaining exports were distributed among various smaller trading 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, K $ US

The value of Tunisia's citrus fruit exports followed a similar pattern to volume trends. After rising for two years, export earnings declined in 2020 to 6 234 thousand US dollars, a 39.7% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 23.9% overall, equivalent to an 8.7% annualized decline. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 10 334 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 20.9%.

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

In value terms, France remained Tunisia's primary export market for citrus fruit from 2017 to 2020, capturing 74.4% of total export earnings. Other countries accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Tunisia's citrus fruit imports showed extreme volatility between 2017 and 2020. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at just 0.1 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 54 tonnes in 2019—representing a 373-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports plummeted to 0.2 tonnes, a dramatic 99.6% decrease from 2019. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 99.7%, while 2019 saw an extraordinary increase of 37,182.9%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, France and Thailand together formed the main source markets for Tunisia's citrus fruit imports in volume terms, though their combined share represented only 3.0% of total import flows.

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 value of Tunisia's citrus fruit imports displayed considerable instability from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their highest value in 2017, then fell to their lowest point in 2020—a fluctuation of 106 times between these extremes. In 2020, import value stood at [value_last_year] thousand US dollars, showing a 99.0% decrease from the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 4,077.9%.

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

In value terms, France and Thailand were the primary sources of Tunisia's citrus fruit imports from 2017 to 2020, together accounting for 3.8% of total import value.

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

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