Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Tunisia's market for frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize contracted from 2 141 t to 1 764 t. This decline coincided with sharp price increases and reduced supply at the wholesale Bir El Kassaa market, likely constraining consumer demand. For instance, 2018 saw vegetable prices jump by over 100% for some items, while economic control campaigns and further supply drops in 2019 and 2020 continued to pressure availability and costs.

A recovery began in 2021, with the market reaching 1 877 t and stabilizing around 1 917 t by 2023. This turnaround was partly linked to industry development, including sought partnerships to build new frozen french fry and chip plants in the northwest, signaling production investment. Simultaneously, the organic frozen vegetable segment, which grew 49% since 2018, added diversification to the market.

In 2022, the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fishing organized a direct farmer-to-consumer market in Tunis, potentially affecting fresh vegetable distribution, while ongoing price volatility for fresh produce continued to shape conditions for frozen alternatives. By 2023, market volume showed minimal change, indicating steadiness after prior fluctuations.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, Tunisia's production of frozen vegetables (excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize) increased in 2020. The country produced 1 609 tonnes that year, representing a 1.4% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 587 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year drop of 9.7%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for frozen vegetables (excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize) from Tunisia experienced significant fluctuations during the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 before peaking in 2020, with a 96-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Tunisia exported 9.6 tonnes, which represents a dramatic increase of 9 533.0% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy and Kuwait dominated Tunisia's frozen vegetable exports in volume terms, together accounting for 86.4% of total shipments. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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 export market showed considerable volatility during the observed period. From the low in 2019 to the high in 2020, export values varied 614 times. In 2020, Tunisia's frozen vegetable exports reached 30.3 thousand US dollars, reflecting an extraordinary increase of 61 301.0% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Italy, Kuwait, and France—together accounted for 95.0% of Tunisia's total frozen vegetable export value. Other destinations made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Tunisia's imports of frozen vegetables (excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize) declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country imported 164.7 tonnes that year, down 53.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 52.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 22.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 382.8 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 9.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Belgium and Spain dominated Tunisia's frozen vegetable imports in volume terms, together accounting for 86.3% of total shipments. Other source countries contributed smaller individual 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

Tunisia's imports of frozen vegetables (excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize) declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import value amounted to 213.1 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp reduction of 43.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 46.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 18.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 452.2 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 13.8%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Belgium and Spain were the primary sources of Tunisia's frozen vegetable imports in value terms, together accounting for 81.9% of total imports. Other markets contributed smaller shares.

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

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