Leguminous vegetables market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, sharp price increases for fresh vegetables at the Bir El Kassaa wholesale market, with cucumbers up to 150%, supported steady production volumes. Anti-speculation control campaigns helped regulate prices. The following year, further vegetable price rises, such as a 51% hike for tomatoes due to relatively lower supply, led to reduced sales quantities, even as production edged up and exports grew, tightening domestic availability.

From 2020 to 2021, leguminous vegetable production continued to expand, reaching 140.3 K t, while market volume grew to 139.7 K t. A contraction occurred in 2022, with output falling to 136.6 K t and market size dropping to 135.6 K t. By 2023, the market stabilized at 136.3 K t of production and 136.0 K t of market volume, aided by agri-food industry development, including investments in Industry 4.0 technologies and expansion into new export markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.

During 2024, authorities imposed a temporary export ban on four fresh vegetables, including tomatoes and onions, to boost domestic supply and curb price volatility. A VAT exemption on locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables until the end of 2024 aims to bolster purchasing power. Major investments in irrigation modernization and post-harvest infrastructure, coupled with a 7% rise in new businesses, are strengthening the market's foundation.

Production leguminous vegetables in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Tunisia ranked as the 21st largest producer of leguminous vegetables from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Tunisia's production of leguminous vegetables grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 139.8 thousand tons, marking a 0.7% increase from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 138.1 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 0.4%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports peaked in 2019 at 1 683 tons and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 6.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tunisia exported 917 tons of leguminous vegetables, a 45.5% decrease from 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 161.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya and Italy were the main destinations for Tunisia's leguminous vegetable exports in kind, together accounting for 81.5% of total flows, while smaller markets shared the remainder.

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 market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their highest value in 2019 at 1 484 thousand US dollars and their lowest in 2017, with a 9-fold difference. In 2020, leguminous vegetable deliveries from Tunisia totaled 1 174 thousand US dollars, a significant drop of 20.9% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, surging by 472.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Libya (47.4% of exports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (26.0%), and France (7.5%) were the key destinations for Tunisia's leguminous vegetable exports in value, collectively making up 80.9% of total 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 leguminous vegetables to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2018 at 211 tons and bottomed in 2020, with a 5.6-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, Tunisia imported 6 thousand tons of leguminous vegetables, an 11.9% decrease year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 79.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 75.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt accounted for 81.6% of Tunisia's leguminous vegetable imports in kind, with the rest distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

Foreign supplies of leguminous vegetables to Tunisia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Tunisia imported 6 thousand US dollars worth of leguminous vegetables, a dramatic 71.3% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 83.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 45.6%.

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

Over 2017–2020, imports in value terms of leguminous vegetables to Tunisia were heavily concentrated on Egypt, which made up 74.0% of total flows, with other countries accounting for the remaining 26.0%.

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

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