Tomato market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The Tunisian fresh tomato market volume grew sharply from 1 165 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 514 thousand tons in 2019, a surge supported by government export subsidies for dried tomatoes under the PAMPAT project, which increased demand for fresh tomatoes as raw material. This expansion was interrupted in 2020 when market volume fell to 1 398 thousand tons, as a 10% drop in yields resulted from unfavorable climatic conditions affecting harvests.

After a modest recovery to 1 437 thousand tons in 2021, the market contracted by 21% to 1 135 thousand tons in 2022. This steep decline was driven by persistent water stress, high production costs, and disease pressure, which severely limited output. During this period, authorities implemented price controls on fresh tomatoes to combat speculation amid supply shortages.

Market volume rebounded to 1 241 thousand tons in 2023, aided by the growing zero-residue pesticide (ZRP) program launched by major player SICAM, responding to strong consumer concern over pesticide residues. Continued efforts to diversify exports of dried tomatoes and the launch of a large greenhouse tomato project in Gabès in 2022 also contributed to market dynamics over the period.

Production tomato in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Tunisia ranked as the 18th largest producer of tomatoes from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

In 2020, Tunisia produced 1 423 thousand tonnes of tomatoes, a decrease of 7.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 1 187 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 534 thousand tonnes. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 29.2%.

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

Exports tomato from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Tunisia exported 26 276 tonnes of tomatoes, an increase of 31.1% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 80.4%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 21.7%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 10.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a surge of 52.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Libya were consistently the main destinations for Tunisia's tomato exports by volume. The Netherlands accounted for 41.4% of exports, Germany for 18.0%, and Libya for 17.0%, together making up 76.4% 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

Tunisia's tomato exports increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 46 244 thousand US dollars, a sharp rise of 29.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 90.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 24.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the top buyers of Tunisian tomatoes by value. The Netherlands held a 43.0% share, Germany 31.3%, and France 8.8%, collectively accounting for 83.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports tomato to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

The market for tomato imports into Tunisia showed volatility during these years. Volumes reached their highest point in 2017 and their lowest in 2018, with a 35-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 058 tonnes, a significant increase of 651.1% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 70 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 97.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya and Egypt remained the primary suppliers of tomatoes to Tunisia by volume, together accounting for 71.1% of total imports.

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

The market for tomato imports into Tunisia exhibited an unstable trend over this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 44-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports were valued at 580 thousand US dollars, a dramatic increase of 2,251.0% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 13 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline was in 2018 with a decrease of 96.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Libya and Egypt played central roles in Tunisia's tomato imports by value, together representing 39.0% 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