Lower food exports are explained by the decline in sales of olive oil by 73% in value 126.2 MTD against 476 MD) and 75% in volume (22,700 metric tons in 2014, against 92 thousand tons in 2013), in addition to the decrease in sales of preparations of vegetables and fruits, by 62% and 16%, respectively.
However, other food products grew in terms of export value, like seafood (fresh and frozen), which went up 25% despite the 10% drop in their prices, dates up 10% thanks to improved prices in exports by 26% and citrus up 4% despite the stability recorded in quantities exported at 21,000 tons. This is also the case for fresh vegetables which increased by 12% in value and 31% by volume.
The value of food exports in the first five months of 2014 accounted for 7.2% of the country’s overall goods exports against 10.3% during the same period in 2013.
