Honey market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian honey market volume began a sustained expansion from 3 813 t in 2018, reaching 3 981 t in 2019. This initial growth was supported by the entry of new producer Agromatica, which started sourcing natural honey by sponsoring local beekeepers, and the implementation of a regional beekeeping development plan in Medenine that included genetic improvement programs and promotion policies to bolster local production.

A slight contraction to 3 919 t occurred in 2020 as the sector faced its first pronounced impacts of climate change, with rising temperatures beginning to affect bee health and forage availability. The market recovered to 4 028 t in 2021, a period which also saw the update of national labeling regulations (CT 56) that standardized mandatory information such as origin and production dates, enhancing product traceability and consumer information.

Despite ongoing challenges from climate threats, parasites, and pesticide use—highlighted in a national sector workshop—the market continued its upward trajectory to 4 166 t in 2022 and 4 397 t in 2023. This resilience was partly underpinned by a 160 000 dinar investment plan under the PACTE program aimed at strengthening the beekeeping value chain's competitiveness, alongside stricter traceability and pesticide residue controls enforced through the INNORPI decree.

Production honey in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Tunisia's honey production declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 3 615 tonnes, marking a 1.0% increase from the previous year. By 2020, output had decreased slightly to 3 605 tonnes, showing minimal change compared to 2019.

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

Exports honey from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Tunisia's honey exports totaled 0.6 tonnes in 2019, which represented a significant decline of 27.2% from the previous year. However, in 2020, exports rebounded sharply to 0.8 tonnes, reflecting a substantial 40.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 34.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 10.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and France were the primary destinations for Tunisia's honey exports by volume. Qatar accounted for 56.2% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 14.5%, and France for 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented 77.4% of total honey exports from Tunisia.

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

Tunisia's honey export revenues showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, exports peaked at 23 000 US dollars, marking a dramatic 102.1% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, revenues had fallen to 9 000 US dollars, representing a sharp 41.3% year-over-year decline. The overall swing from the 2018 peak to the 2020 trough was 2.6-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Japan dominated Tunisia's honey export market by value. Qatar accounted for 57.2% of export revenues, Saudi Arabia for 17.5%, and Japan for 4.8%. Collectively, these three markets represented 79.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports honey to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Tunisia's honey imports reached their highest point in 2019 at 367.4 tonnes, reflecting a substantial 56.7% increase from the previous year. In 2020, imports declined to 314.0 tonnes, representing a notable 14.5% decrease compared to 2019. The lowest import volume during this period was recorded in 2018 at 234.4 tonnes. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 24.5%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, India, and Egypt were the main suppliers of honey to Tunisia by volume. Saudi Arabia accounted for 29.3% of imports, India for 22.8%, and Egypt for 21.8%. Together, these three countries supplied 73.9% of Tunisia's total honey imports.

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 honey import expenditures peaked in 2019 at 1 421 000 US dollars, marking a significant 58.8% increase from the previous year. In 2020, import value declined to 1 308 000 US dollars, reflecting a moderate 8.0% year-over-year decrease. The lowest expenditure was recorded in 2018 at 895 000 US dollars, which represented a 15.3% decline from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 23.8%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 7.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Egypt were the leading sources of Tunisia's honey imports by value. Saudi Arabia accounted for 47.3% of import expenditures, Spain for 14.8%, and Egypt for 14.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 76.3% 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