Not carded or combed cotton market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not carded or combed cotton in Tunisia fluctuated between 2018 and 2021, with volume reaching 13.9 тыс. т in 2019 and again in 2021. The textile sector, comprising over 1,850 companies and relying on imports for about 85% of its cotton due to local water scarcity, saw state encouragement for private investments in water-saving technologies and corporate social responsibility to sustain local production and jobs.

Market volume fell to 13.1 тыс. т in 2022 as the COVID-19 pandemic reduced global cotton demand and disrupted logistics. A sharp decline to 8.6 тыс. т followed in 2023, driven by a sustained 13.7% rise in world cotton prices since 2018, which made imports more expensive, alongside shifts in global supply chains such as Brazil's emergence as a top producer.

In 2024, a restructuring of European clothing imports reduced Tunisia's market share, while the finance law raised the corporate tax rate from 15% to 20%, increasing costs for textile firms. These factors kept import volumes low, even as the industry invested in sustainable practices like organic and recycled cotton to meet international demand.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

World map of production of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

In 2020, Tunisia produced 8 680 tonnes of not carded or combed cotton, showing no significant change from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Tunisia exported 1 tonne of not carded or combed cotton, with only marginal fluctuations compared to 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, exports increased by 11.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Niger was the key and almost sole market for Tunisia's exports of not carded or combed cotton in kind, accounting for 100.0% of total 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

In 2019, shipments of not carded or combed cotton from Tunisia abroad stood at 4 000 US dollars, remaining virtually unchanged year-over-year compared to 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, exports increased by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Niger remained the almost exclusive buyer of not carded or combed cotton from Tunisia in value terms, holding a share of 100.0% 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 not carded or combed cotton to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year gain, imports of not carded or combed cotton into Tunisia from abroad declined. In 2020, imports totaled 3 706 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 28.6% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 189 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.1%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece (45.2% of imports in kind), the United States (14.1% of imports in kind), and Nigeria (7.1% of imports in kind) were the key partners for Tunisia's imports in kind, together accounting for 66.3% of total 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

Imports of not carded or combed cotton into Tunisia from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Tunisia imported approximately 6 185 000 US dollars of not carded or combed cotton, indicating an abrupt drop of 32.2% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 9 437 000 US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 16.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23.7%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece (45.5% of imports in value terms), the United States (13.5% of imports in value terms), and Nigeria (7.0% of imports in value terms) were the main markets for Tunisia's imports in value terms, together accounting for 66.0% of total flows.

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

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