Milk and cream market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, state encouragement of investment in dairy cow farming supported production growth, with Centrale Laitière de Cap Bon holding a dominant 43% market share. The market volume for milk and cream steadily expanded, reaching 1 795 thousand tonnes in 2021.

A marked milk shortage in 2022, driven by insufficient supply against rising demand, led to speculation and price increases, reducing the market to 1 762 thousand tonnes. Despite an ongoing sector crisis in 2023 characterized by state liquidity shortages impacting feed supplies and a shrinking dairy herd, the market volume recovered slightly to 1 784 thousand tonnes.

By 2024, the persistent shortage was accompanied by the temporary withdrawal of non-compliant imported condensed milk and increased output of subsidized semi-skimmed milk. However, a five-year drought had cut the productive cow herd by 30%, continuing to pressure the industry.

Production milk and cream in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Tunisia's milk and cream production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1,771 thousand tons, marking a 1.8% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of -1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1,709 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 7.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 1.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Tunisia's milk and cream production value has also risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1,049 million US dollars, representing a significant year-on-year increase of 19.9%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 859 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 16.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Tunisia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports milk and cream from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Tunisia's milk and cream exports have rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 9,412 tons, a 32.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 51.1%, with an average annual decline of 21.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7,082 tons, which also experienced the largest drop of 50.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya and Qatar remained the primary destinations for Tunisia's milk and cream exports in volume terms, together accounting for 55.5% of total exports.

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

After a two-year decrease, Tunisia's milk and cream export value has increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 5,574 thousand US dollars, a sharp 56.6% rise from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 48.5%, equivalent to an average annual rate of -19.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3,559 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 50.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, Libya and Qatar were the leading destinations for Tunisia's milk and cream exports in value terms, jointly representing 58.3% of total export 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 milk and cream to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed significant volatility during this period. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2018, imports varied by 209 times. In 2020, Tunisia imported 2,840 tons of milk and cream, a dramatic 55.4% decrease from 2019. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8,219 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 20,808.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium dominated Tunisia's milk and cream imports in volume terms, accounting for 97.1% 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

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2018, import values varied by 54 times. In 2020, Tunisia's milk and cream imports were valued at 1,787 thousand US dollars, showing an intense 53.8% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5,432 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest increase of 5,276.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Belgium was the key and nearly exclusive source for Tunisia's milk and cream imports in value terms, representing 95.2% of total import flows.

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

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