Linseed market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for linseed in Tunisia increased from 3 444 metric tons in 2018 to 3 791 metric tons in 2023. This growth was entirely driven by rising imports, which more than doubled from 333 metric tons to 679 metric tons over the period, while domestic production remained stable at around 3 100 metric tons.

The surge in imports coincided with heightened investment in Tunisia's agri-food industry, which expanded by 44% in declared investments by 2024. This industrial growth boosted demand for agricultural raw materials like linseed, used in food processing. Persistent drought conditions globally may have also influenced supply chains, but local production was maintained.

Domestic linseed output showed remarkable stability, fluctuating within a narrow range of 3 111 metric tons to 3 194 metric tons, indicating consistent farming activity despite broader economic changes.

Production linseed in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Tunisia ranked as the 23rd largest producer of linseed between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of linseed, 2017-2020

World map of production of linseed, 2017-2020

In 2020, Tunisia produced 3 160 tonnes of linseed, marking a 1.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 112 tonnes. That same year saw the largest drop of 5.1%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 2.7%.

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

Exports linseed from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Tunisia's linseed exports in volume terms went to Qatar, which accounted for 100.0% of total shipments.

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

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tunisia's export market for linseed was heavily concentrated on Qatar, with this destination representing 100.0% 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 linseed to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Tunisia's linseed imports grew for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 502.3 tonnes—a significant 20.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports rose by 28.9%, averaging an 8.8% annual growth rate. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 332.8 tonnes, which also saw the steepest decline of 14.6%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase of 25.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Ukraine, and India remained the primary suppliers of linseed to Tunisia in volume terms, contributing 51.0%, 28.0%, and 4.4% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 83.4% of total imports by volume.

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 linseed import value continued to rise in 2020, increasing for the second consecutive year to 205.0 thousand US dollars—up 16.6% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 138.1 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 19.4%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a 27.3% rise.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, three key markets—Egypt, Ukraine, and France—collectively accounted for 81.3% of Tunisia's total linseed 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