Dates market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian dates market from 2018 to 2023 exhibited steady growth, with production rising from 305 thousand tonnes to 387.1 thousand tonnes and market volume expanding from 181.7 thousand tonnes to 257.8 thousand tonnes. This expansion was underpinned from the outset by the sector's export leadership and specialization in the premium Deglet Nour variety. Industry associations UTAP and UTICA played a key regulatory role, setting reference prices and facilitating market access through agreements like the preferential trade deal with Pakistan.

Following a temporary dip in 2019, production and market volume grew consistently from 2020 onward. This upward trend was reinforced by continued state policy: in 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture established updated reference prices for the 2023-2024 export season, providing stability for producers. A concurrent focus on strict adherence to export quality standards helped maintain the competitiveness of Tunisian dates in key international markets.

Consequently, over the six-year period, the dates market volume in Tunisia increased by 42%, supported by a combination of structured price regulation, a quality-oriented strategy, and the strong reputation of the Deglet Nour variety in the global premium segment.

Production dates in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Tunisia ranked as the 10th largest producer of dates globally, establishing itself among the world's leading producers during this period.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

In 2020, Tunisia produced 332.0 K t of dates, marking a robust 14.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 27.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 8.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 17.3%, while the largest decline was in 2019, at 5.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of dates produced in Tunisia reached 797.1 M $ US, representing a substantial 18.2% advance compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 39.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 20.9%, and the largest decline in 2019, at 2.7%.

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

Exports dates from Tunisia

Exports in kind, K t

Tunisia's dates export volume declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 109.3 K t, a 4.1% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 4.7%, with an annualized rate of 1.5%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 124.0 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 18.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco, France, and Germany were the largest buyers of Tunisian dates in volume terms, accounting for 24.8%, 9.1%, and 7.7% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 41.6% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

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, M $ US

Tunisia's dates export value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 262.3 M $ US, a 1.3% fall from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 281.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 22.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 5.7%.

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

An analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Morocco, Germany, and France accounted for 22.4%, 9.5%, and 7.8% of exports, respectively, totaling only 39.7% of total flows. This leaves a significant 60.3% attributed to other trading partners.

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

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

Imports dates to Tunisia

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tunisia's dates import volume reached 1.2 K t, an abrupt 113.4% increase from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 25.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco and Germany consistently accounted for the largest share of imports in volume terms, together representing 6.1% of total 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, M $ US

In 2020, the value of imported dates in Tunisia amounted to 2.4 M $ US, a steep 45.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 90.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 69.8%, and the largest decline in 2019, at 22.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco and Germany consistently remained the main markets for imports in value terms, together accounting for 6.0% of total flows.

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

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