Pastry market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Tunisia's pastry market volume showed notable shifts. The market size fell to 16,761 tons in 2019, pressured by an outdated bread subsidy system that distorted the supply chain and consumer inflation reaching 6.7%, which raised production costs. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted digitalization measures and a focus on food security, helping to lift market volume to 19,171 tons in 2020.

Growth continued in 2021, with the market reaching 20,276 tons even as the sector faced tax challenges, including a 19% VAT rate applied to industrial pastry production that professionals argued reduced competitiveness. By 2022, however, the market contracted to 17,569 tons due to stricter food safety regulations under Presidential Decree 2022-318, rising taxes, raw material shortages, and the expansion of the informal sector, which reportedly captured about 60% of the market by 2025.

In 2023, tax and supply pressures persisted, and competition from the unregulated informal market continued to erode the formal sector, driving the market volume down further to 14,323 tons. Although agro-food investments rose 15% that year, focusing on equipment modernization and product innovation, these efforts were insufficient to offset the structural challenges posed by high informal competition and ongoing regulatory burdens.

Production pastry in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

Tunisia's pastry production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Tunisia produced 20 785 tons of pastry, marking a 2.3% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 20 166 tons, with the largest decline of 0.8% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Tunisia's pastry production value has rebounded. In 2020, the output of pastry was valued at 57 475 thousand US dollars in Tunisia, showing a significant increase of 16.3% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 14.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 49 436 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.5%.

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

Exports pastry from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, pastry exports from Tunisia declined. In 2020, exports totaled 3 032 tons, representing a 37.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Despite this drop, exports increased by 5% over the 2017-2020 period, equating to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 4 823 tons, while the largest increase of 31.4% occurred in 2018.

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

The export market for pastry in kind from 2017 to 2020 was diverse. Libya accounted for 24.5% of exports in kind, France for 17.0%, and Yemen for 4.0%, together making up 45.5% of total flows. The remaining 54.5% was distributed among numerous other countries, indicating a broad market base.

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 two years of growth, pastry shipments from Tunisia abroad declined. In 2020, export volume was recorded at 8 385 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decline of 28.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 12%, with an annualized rate of 4.2%. The highest value was in 2019 at 11 731 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase of 18.4% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the main buyer of Tunisian pastry in value terms, accounting for 27.8% of exports, followed by Libya at 14.7% and Italy at 9.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 52.4% of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from Tunisia in value, 2017-2020

Imports pastry to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Tunisia's pastry imports reached 1 418 tons, representing a 12.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest import level was in 2019 at 1 261 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey led as the top supplier of pastry to Tunisia in kind, accounting for 24.6% of imports, followed by Egypt at 18.3% and Germany at 13.6%. Their combined share reached 56.6% of total imports in kind.

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 imported pastry volumes amounted to 2 879 thousand US dollars, which is 16.2% higher year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 24.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 3 138 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 36.0%. The largest decline of 21.0% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in value terms was scattered. Italy accounted for 19.8% of imports in value terms, Egypt for 16.7%, and Turkey for 12.9%, together making up 49.4% of total flows. No single partner stood out as clearly dominant, indicating a diversified import structure.

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

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