Dried shelled beans market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian dried shelled bean market showed notable volatility from 2018 to 2020. The market volume was 4 529 t in 2018, a year marked by the state's highly interventionist policy in grain markets, which directly affected the production and commercialization of food legumes including dried beans. A decline to 3 902 t followed in 2019, before the market recovered to 5 432 t in 2020.

A major surge lifted the market to 8 017 t in 2021. After a modest correction to 7 295 t in 2022, volume steadied at 7 425 t in 2023. This sustained high level of consumption was underpinned by a shift in consumer preferences, as growing demand for plant-based proteins and increased adoption of vegan diets stimulated direct demand for dried shelled beans.

Entering 2024, the market framework was influenced by direct government action, including a VAT exemption on dried vegetables until the end of the year to strengthen food security. Furthermore, a national strategy for the valorization of terroir products, targeting legumes in pilot regions, was implemented, fostering local market development alongside broader agricultural sector trends.

Production dried shelled beans in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

Tunisia's dried shelled beans production saw a two-year advance before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 267.4 t, but then fell to 239.9 t in 2020, marking a 10.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production grew by 17.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 21.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated dramatically, with a 6 232-fold difference between the low of 2020 and the high of 2018. In 2019, cross-border shipments of dried shelled beans from Tunisia reached their lowest point, but then in 2020, they amounted to just 0.1 t, representing a sharp 75.0% decline compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 312 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 99.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 239 600.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya served as the primary destination for dried shelled beans exports from Tunisia, consistently accounting for 99.6% of total exports in volume.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The period saw a peak in 2018 and a trough in 2020, with a 9 582-fold swing between them. In 2019, dried shelled beans shipments from Tunisia abroad experienced a significant drop, and by 2020, they amounted to 0.0 K $ US, showing a sudden 87.6% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2018 at 278 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 99.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, jumping by 62 275.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, dried shelled beans from Tunisia were mainly shipped to Libya, which absorbed 99.5% of total exports in value terms.

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 shelled beans to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Tunisia's dried shelled beans import volume increased. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 3 635 t, but then rose to 5 192 t in 2020, amounting to a sharp 42.8% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall imports grew by 10.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in volume of dried shelled beans to Tunisia were almost entirely concentrated in Egypt, whose share reached 97.0%.

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

In 2019, dried shelled beans deliveries to Tunisia saw a decline, but in 2020, they stood at 4 237 K $ US, reflecting an uptick of 47.3% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 70.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.6%. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 21.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 47.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt effectively monopolized imports in value terms of dried shelled beans to Tunisia, taking 95.6% 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