Sunflower seeds market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for sunflower seeds in Tunisia grew from 9.1 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 11.6 thousand tons in 2021, largely driven by a sharp increase in imports for local processing. Industry sources highlight the country's ongoing reliance on imported oilseeds to meet domestic crushing capacity, which pushed imports up by over 2 thousand tons in 2021 alone. The Maghreb Oléagineux program, launched in 2019, supported the development of oilseed crops including sunflower through farmer training and improved seed varieties, helping to stabilize domestic production around 6.4 thousand tons.

By 2023, the market volume declined to 11.1 thousand tons despite further import growth to 5.6 thousand tons. This drop was primarily due to a surge in exports to 872 tons, partly explained by the indirect impact of lower sunflower harvests in Ukraine, which raised global prices and made Tunisian exports more attractive. Additionally, some small local refiners purchased sunflower seeds outside the official market to avoid taxes, affecting domestic price dynamics and distribution.

Throughout the period, domestic sunflower production remained stable, reflecting limited influence from state-owned companies and no major new production facilities. The state-guaranteed base price for rapeseed, a direct competitor, also affected sunflower's competitiveness. Workshops organized in Tunis to share experiences with Mediterranean oilseed actors and continued agricultural advisory services promoted better yields and seed quality, supporting the sector's development.

Production sunflower seeds in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower seeds, 2017-2020

Tunisia's sunflower seeds production has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 6 321 tons of sunflower seeds, representing a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.0%.

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

Exports sunflower seeds from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, Tunisia exported 4 tons of sunflower seeds, marking a significant decline of 98.2% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia's sunflower seeds exports were almost entirely concentrated in Morocco, which accounted for 96.6% of the total volume.

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 2018, Tunisia exported sunflower seeds worth 14 thousand US dollars, representing a decrease of 86.7% compared to 2017.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco and Libya accounted for the bulk of Tunisia's sunflower seeds exports in value terms, jointly representing 100.0% of total 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 sunflower seeds to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

Tunisia's sunflower seeds imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 3 126 tons, up by 16.6% compared to the prior year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 7.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 592 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 35.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the main source of sunflower seeds imports to Tunisia, consistently accounting for 94.2% of total imports in volume.

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

Tunisia's sunflower seeds imports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 1 621 thousand US dollars worth of sunflower seeds, corresponding to a gain of 16.3% compared to the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13.7%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 265 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 32.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Turkey remained the almost exclusive supplier of sunflower seeds to Tunisia in value terms, with a share of 92.4% of total imports.

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

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