Long criticized for its external dependence in terms of food security, Tunisia is among the top 10 African countries with the best level of food self-sufficiency.
This is what a study published in May 2025 by Nature Food, an international scientific journal specializing in agricultural and food issues, revealed, in partnership with researchers from the University of Oxford.
Ranked 6th on the continent, Tunisia reaches an overall self-sufficiency rate of 188% for fruits, and a rate of 170% for dairy products. This represents an overproduction in this sector, despite profitability and surplus management issues reported in recent years.
In contrast, starchy staples (wheat, potatoes, rice…) record a much lower self-sufficiency rate, at only 18%. This clearly reflects a chronic dependence of the country on cereal imports, particularly soft wheat.
To explain, the authors of the study clarify that these percentages reflect a country’s ability to meet its food needs through its own production. A rate above 100% means a surplus, and therefore a potential for export, whereas a score below that reflects a structural need for imports to satisfy domestic consumption.
At the top of the African ranking is Mali, which shows high rates: 236% for staples and 107% for fruits, scores that reflect surplus production capable of meeting national demand and even supplying neighboring markets. But for dairy products, the country caps at 69%.
Next is Niger, ranked second thanks to strong coverage of needs in staple foods (142%) and dairy products (101%), despite a marked weakness in fruits (29%).
Cameroon, for its part, excels in fruits (296%) and starchy foods (193%) but lags behind in the dairy sector with barely 15% coverage.
In 4th place, Senegal, despite very low rates in fruits (23%) and dairy products (20%), compensates thanks to relatively decent self-sufficiency in staple foods (82%).
Just behind, South Sudan closes the Top 5, standing out with an exceptional score in the dairy sector (303%), one of the highest on the continent, and comfortable rates in staples (107%) and fruits (61%).
In the world, according to the study covering 186 countries, only one has succeeded in achieving total food self-sufficiency for the seven main food groups: Guyana. This country stands as an exception, capable of locally producing enough to cover all of its needs in fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, cereals, legumes, and tubers.
At the top of the global ranking are notably the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and France.
The United States, for example, stands out for massive production in grain, corn, soybeans, and meat. Australia and New Zealand, for their part, excel in meat and dairy production, supported by well-developed livestock sectors.
It should be noted that the study is based on data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and on a modeling approach that takes into account trade flows, agricultural yields, and population growth.
