The Tunisian olive sector, with roots dating back to the pre-Roman era, is at a turning point in its history. Thanks to wise investments, well-thought-out export strategies, food safety measures, and a strong brand image, it is preparing for a renaissance.
Tunisia can promote sustainable economic development, stimulate agricultural innovation, and strengthen its position as the world’s leading supplier of high-quality olive products. The future of Tunisian olive oil looks more promising than ever.
It is among high-extraction oils meeting more than 80% of required quality standards, especially virgin and extra virgin oils, making it a key criterion for the international market.
Export revenues
During the first ten months of the 2024/2025 campaign (Nov–Aug), Tunisian olive oil export revenues fell by 29.5%, compared to the same period of the previous season, reaching 3,386.3 million dinars (MD), according to the National Agriculture Observatory (ONAGRI).
The average price dropped 49.4%, to TND 13.40/kg compared to TND 26.51/kg at the end of August 2024.
Exported quantities reached 252.7 thousand tons, an increase of 39.4% in volume compared to the same period of the 2023/2024 campaign.
In August 2025, Spain was the main destination for Tunisian olive oil (39.9% of exported quantities), followed by Italy (17.8%) and Canada (10.7%).
Organic olive oil exports
During the same period, organic olive oil exports reached 48.9 thousand tons worth 664.8 MD, with an average price of TND 13.60 /kg.
Their share of total Tunisian olive oil exports was 19.4% (quantity) and 19.6% (value).
Packaged olive oil accounted for 6.1% of total organic olive oil exports.
Italy was the main destination for Tunisian organic olive oil (51.6% of exported quantities), followed by Spain (19.7%) and the USA (17.4%).
Measures for olive sector
For years, the Tunisian government has pursued a program to enhance its high-quality olive oil. Thanks to agro-food investments and innovative marketing strategies, the sector aims to move from bulk production to bottled oils.
Training initiatives have been deployed to promote environmentally friendly production practices, strengthening biosecurity, sustainability, and conservation.
The goal is to put Tunisian olive oil on the world map, help local producers access high-value export markets, and improve product quality. This initiative also aims to increase the sector’s resilience to climate change.
Tunisia recently won 1st place globally at the Afro-Asian International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition, organized by the Swedish group International Olive Oil Competitions in Abu Dhabi.
