Milk market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian milk market volume expanded from 1 350 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 414 thousand tons in 2020. This growth occurred despite a drought in 2017-2018 that limited fodder availability and triggered a supply crisis in late 2018. In response, the government raised the producer milk price by 100 millimes per liter in 2019 and signed a public-private partnership for the dairy sector aimed at boosting productivity and exports.

Market volume peaked at 1 436 thousand tons in 2021, but industrial stockpiles accumulated, signaling an imbalance. A major supply crisis in 2022 led to rationing and a drop in market volume to 1 411 thousand tons. Authorities arranged imports from Europe and introduced a minimum guaranteed producer price of 1 340 millimes per liter in November 2022. By 2023, stricter regulatory measures, including seizures of illicit milk and enhanced supply controls, helped restore market volume to 1 436 thousand tons.

In early 2024, the supply of semi-skimmed milk reached 1.7 million liters per day, reflecting improved availability due to continued price supports and enforcement actions against speculation.

Production milk in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Tunisia's milk production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 413 thousand tons of milk, representing a 2.2% year-over-year growth. Production declined by 3.4% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 348 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 7.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Milk production in Tunisia rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 836.6 million US dollars, marking a 17.9% increase from the previous year. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 686.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.5%.

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

Exports milk from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, milk export volumes from Tunisia increased. In 2020, exports totaled 9 412 tons, showing a sharp rise of 32.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 51.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 7 127 tons, which also recorded the largest decline of 50.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya and Qatar were the primary destinations for milk exports in kind, accounting for 55.6% of total export flows.

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

Following a two-year downturn, Tunisia's milk exports rebounded. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 574 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant gain of 52.4% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 48.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 3 658 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 50.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Libya and Qatar led as the top buyers of Tunisian milk in value terms, jointly accounting for 58.5% of total exports.

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 to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Milk imports into Tunisia showed notable fluctuations during the period. The lowest import volume was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 10 623 tons, indicating a reduction of 37.4% from 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 277 tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 215.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Belgium (38.0% of imports in kind), France (20.6%), and Brazil (6.2%) were the leading sources of milk imports to Tunisia, together comprising 64.9% 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

Milk imports into Tunisia exhibited significant volatility. The lowest value was in 2017, with the highest in 2019, showing a 2.3-fold gap. In 2020, imports amounted to 22 033 thousand US dollars, marking a solid drop of 24.0% from the prior year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 29 009 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 88.1%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, France (27.7% of imports in value terms), Belgium (18.1%), and the Netherlands (9.2%) were the main suppliers of milk to Tunisia, collectively representing 55.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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