Malt market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian malt market experienced initial growth from 35,400 tons in 2018 to 39,000 tons in 2020. This period was shaped by the 2018 Startup Act, which improved the legal and financial framework for innovative enterprises, encouraging new entrants into the agro-industrial sector. Tax exemptions for newly created companies in 2019 further stimulated market entry. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains, which may have bolstered local production and contributed to the market's expansion.

Between 2021 and 2022, the market saw some volatility. Rising fertilizer costs linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict from 2021 increased the cost of grain production, affecting malt sector inputs. In 2022, the implementation of a pre-import control system and a new, more liberal foreign exchange code altered trade conditions, while continued global raw material price hikes and logistical disruptions exerted cost pressures. The market volume stabilized around 37,000 tons in 2022, supported by increased imports.

A significant rise to 43,700 tons occurred in 2023. This growth was supported by investments in electrical grid modernization by STEG, which enhanced industrial production capacity, and ongoing economic reforms providing support to small-scale cereal farmers, improving the base for malt production.

Production malt in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of malt, 2017-2020

World map of production of malt, 2017-2020

Tunisia's malt production grew for the second year in a row. In 2019, the country produced 15 000 tonnes of malt, which increased by 20.0% to 18 000 tonnes in 2020. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 14 500 tonnes, marking the largest annual decline of 21.6%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 2.7%, averaging a 0.9% annual decline.

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

Exports malt from Tunisia

Industry analysis indicates that Tunisia did not export any malt between 2017 and 2020.

Imports malt to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Tunisia imported 20 954 tonnes of malt in 2020, up 10.4% from 2019. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 27.3%, while the largest decline was in 2019 at 9.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 27.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Poland, and Belgium were the top sources for Tunisia's malt imports by volume. France accounted for 23.9% of imports, Poland for 23.3%, and Belgium for 21.0%, together making up 68.3% of total import flows.

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

In 2020, Tunisia's malt imports were valued at 10 547 thousand US dollars, showing little change from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 10 759 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 40.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.5%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 37.5%, averaging an 11.2% annual growth rate.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Belgium, and France were the leading suppliers of malt to Tunisia by value. Poland contributed 23.8% of import value, Belgium 22.3%, and France 22.3%, collectively representing 68.4% of total imports in monetary terms.

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

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