Dried shelled lentils market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled lentils in Tunisia saw significant expansion from 2020 to 2022, with volume peaking at 9 566 t. This growth was primarily driven by the government's suspension of import duties on pulses, including lentils, starting in April 2020. The measure aimed to secure stable national supply amid global trade fluctuations and was coupled with persistently insufficient domestic production, which increased reliance on imports to meet local demand.

Following the peak, the market contracted to 7 747 t in 2023, coinciding with a sharp drop in imports. Domestic production volumes remained relatively stable throughout the period, fluctuating between 1 638 t and 1 924 t, and experienced a minor decline in the final year.

Production dried shelled lentils in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia ranked 28th globally in dried shelled lentils production volume.

Top producers of dried shelled lentils, 2017-2020

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

After two years of growth, dried shelled lentils production in Tunisia fell in 2020. That year, Tunisia produced 1 666 tonnes, a significant 13.4% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 16%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest output was in 2019 at 1 924 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 17.5%.

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

Exports dried shelled lentils from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of dried shelled lentils from Tunisia declined for the third year in a row in 2020. Tunisia shipped just 0.2 tonnes that year, a sharp 55.2% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports plummeted by 99.7%, with an average annual decline of 85.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Libya was by far the main buyer of dried shelled lentils from Tunisia, making up 96.7% of total export volumes.

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 data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. The highest value was in 2017, while the lowest was in 2018, with an 80-fold difference between these years. In 2020, dried shelled lentils exports from Tunisia totaled 21 thousand US dollars, a strong 16.0% drop from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.5 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 98.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, surging by 5 316.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and Libya were the leading destinations for Tunisian dried shelled lentils exports in value terms, together accounting for 97.2% of total flows, while other countries held smaller shares.

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 lentils to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Tunisia imported 4 965 tonnes of dried shelled lentils, a 40.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 20.4%, with an average annual rate of 6.4%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 3 539 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Egypt and Canada were the dominant suppliers of dried shelled lentils to Tunisia, together representing 88.5% of total import volumes, with other sources contributing relatively minor shares.

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 2020, Tunisia's imports of dried shelled lentils in value terms amounted to 2 649 thousand US dollars, marking a steep 43.8% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 42.9%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 12.6%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 1 842 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 12.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Egypt and Canada were the core markets for Tunisia's dried shelled lentils imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 88.5% of total flows, while other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

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

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