Frozen potatoes market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Tunisian frozen potato market remained relatively stable, with volumes hovering around 4 300 to 4 400 t. This stability was underpinned by potato's role as a major food crop in regions like Cap Bon and Kasserine, and the gradual modernization of agricultural techniques, including the adoption of drip irrigation and sustainable practices to enhance competitiveness and resource management. The strategic back-season potato cultivation helped ensure continuous raw material supply for processing.

After 2020, market volume began a gradual decline, reaching a low of 3 915 t in 2022. While specific factors for the frozen segment are not detailed, the broader potato sector faced indirect challenges, such as increased reliance on international grain imports which may have strained agricultural inputs and costs. Production partially recovered to 4 249 t in 2023, indicating market resilience despite these pressures.

By 2024, the market encountered structural off-season shortages, leading to supply gaps and price volatility. In response, the Ministry of Trade intervened by authorizing potato imports and setting maximum retail prices to stabilize availability and curb speculation. These regulatory actions highlight ongoing efforts to modernize the supply chain and protect consumers amidst persistent market imbalances.

Production frozen potatoes in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

Tunisia's frozen potato production saw a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 4 330 tonnes of frozen potatoes, marking a slight decrease of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 370 tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 4.1%.

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

Exports frozen potatoes from Tunisia

According to industry reports, Tunisia did not export any frozen potatoes between 2017 and 2020.

Imports frozen potatoes to Tunisia

Imports in kind, kg

The market for frozen potato imports in Tunisia experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 before peaking in 2020, with a 4.9-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Tunisia imported 18 200 kilograms of frozen potatoes, representing a sharp increase of 389.2% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt and Belgium were the exclusive sources of Tunisia's frozen potato imports, together accounting for 100.0% of total import volumes.

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, $ US

The value of frozen potato imports to Tunisia showed considerable volatility over the observed period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019, followed by the highest in 2020, with a 4.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, the value of frozen potato deliveries to Tunisia amounted to 13 059 US dollars, reflecting a substantial increase of 308.7% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tunisia's frozen potato imports in value terms were entirely concentrated on Egypt and Belgium, with these two countries collectively representing 100.0% of total import value.

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

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