Dried shelled legumes market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

Tunisia's dried shelled legumes market volume showed considerable variation from 2018 to 2023. It started at 257.9 thousand tons in 2018, climbed to 272.9 thousand tons in 2019, then dropped sharply to 214.7 thousand tons in 2020. A recovery followed in 2021 to 246.4 thousand tons, before a minor contraction to 243.7 thousand tons in 2022, and finally an increase to 261.6 thousand tons in 2023.

The market's movement in 2022 coincided with inflationary pressures that drove up prices for vegetables and fruits, likely reducing demand for dried legumes and contributing to the slight market dip. In 2023, a severe drought recognized as a natural disaster in 12 governorates affected local production, but heightened imports helped offset supply constraints and supported market growth to 261.6 thousand tons.

Regulatory developments continued into 2024, with the implementation of new food chain control methods and government-imposed profit margin caps for dried fruits, which also apply to dried legumes, shaping the market environment for the year.

Production dried shelled legumes in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Tunisia's production of dried shelled legumes saw a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 201.7 thousand tons, marking a 24.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 6%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 267.3 thousand tons, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a 13.2% rise.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of expansion, Tunisia's exports of dried shelled legumes experienced a sharp decline. In 2020, the country exported 2,414 tons, reflecting a steep 42.9% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall increased by 19%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 4,227 tons, and the largest increase took place in 2018, with a 44.6% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya, Morocco, and Yemen were the top destinations for Tunisia's dried shelled legume exports by volume. Libya accounted for 56.4% of exports, Morocco for 13.5%, and Yemen for 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented 75.0% of total 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 a two-year uptick, Tunisia's cross-border shipments of dried shelled legumes in value terms declined. In 2020, exports were recorded at 1,940 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 23.4% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 49.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 14.3%. The peak value was in 2019 at 2,533 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 62.9% rise.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Libya, Morocco, and Jordan were the leading destinations for Tunisia's dried shelled legume exports by value. Libya held a 48.0% share, Morocco 13.7%, and Jordan 6.1%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 67.7% of total 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 dried shelled legumes to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Tunisia's imports of dried shelled legumes by volume rebounded. In 2020, imports stood at 15,433 tons, indicating a dramatic 55.5% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports overall decreased by 19.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 9,922 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 44.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, India, and Canada were the main sources for Tunisia's dried shelled legume imports by volume. Egypt accounted for 56.1% of imports, India for 10.6%, and Canada for 7.4%. Together, these three countries represented 74.1% 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

Tunisia imported dried shelled legumes worth 6,760 thousand US dollars in 2020, constituting a sharp 60.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports overall increased by 11.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6,760 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 11,359 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 40.5% drop.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Egypt, Morocco, and France were the primary sources for Tunisia's dried shelled legume imports by value. Egypt held a 58.3% share, Morocco 7.4%, and France 7.3%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 73.1% of total import flows.

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

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