Dried grapes market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian dried grapes market grew to 2,682 t in 2019, driven by improved vineyard yields from the introduction of selected varieties and sustained demand for dried fruits in traditional pastries, which increased import volumes to meet consumption. This expansion was preceded by the 2018 law strengthening farmer protection against theft, enhancing security for local grape production.

Drought conditions in 2021 reduced summer fruit output by an estimated 25%, lowering domestic grape availability for drying and increasing reliance on imports to maintain market volume near 2,400 t. In 2022, government-imposed maximum profit margins on wholesale and retail sales of dried fruits, alongside soaring consumer prices, dampened purchasing power and contributed to a market contraction to 2,121 t.

A sharp decline in imports drove the market down to 1,284 t in 2023, while domestic production saw a modest increase, marking a significant reduction in overall volume.

Production dried grapes in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Tunisia ranked as the 28th largest producer of dried grapes worldwide.

Top producers of dried grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried grapes, 2017-2020

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tunisia produced 682.5 t of dried grapes, marking a 41.9% year-on-year increase. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 26.9%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2018 at 80.7%.

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

Exports dried grapes from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility over the observed period. The highest volume was recorded in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2020, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 53 times. In 2020, Tunisia exported just 0.1 t of dried grapes, indicating a sharp decline of 98.1% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya accounted for 89.1% of Tunisia's total dried grape exports in volume terms, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

Export values experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Volumes peaked in 2019 and bottomed out in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 8.1 times. In 2020, Tunisia's dried grape export value amounted to 1 000 US dollars, which is 87.6% lower than the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Libya and Senegal remained the primary markets for Tunisia's dried grape exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 91.6% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports dried grapes to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year uptick, Tunisia's dried grape imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 715 t, representing a 22.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 36.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.0%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 205 t. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 37.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran and Chile accounted for the majority of Tunisia's dried grape imports in volume terms, while other markets formed a less significant portion.

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

Import values showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The peak occurred in 2019, while the trough was in 2017, with a 3.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Tunisia's dried grape import value stood at 959 000 US dollars, down by 16.5% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 149 000 US dollars. The largest annual increase was in 2018 at 137.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of Tunisia's dried grape imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Iran and Chile together accounting for 84.1% of total flows, while other partners formed a residual share.

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

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