The trade deficit stood at -16,728.3 million dinars (MD), compared to -13,497.4 MD during the first nine months of 2024, the National Statistics Institute (INS) just announced.
The coverage rate reached a level of (73.5%) compared to (77.5%) during the same period in 2024, the same source emphasizes, specifying that commercial exchanges reached the level of 46,419.8 MD for exports and 63,148.1 MD for imports.
The results of Tunisia’s commercial exchanges with foreign countries at current prices during the first nine months of 2025 show that exports reached 46,419.8 MD compared to 46,404.6 MD during the first nine months of 2024.
As for imports, they amounted to 63,148.1 MD compared to 59,902 MD during the same period in 2024.
By sector, exports recorded an increase in the mining, phosphates and derivatives sector (+8%) and the mechanical and electrical industries sector (+6.4%).
Furthermore, exports recorded a decrease in the energy sector (-34.2%) due to lower sales of local refined products (610.4 MD vs. 1,466.2 MD), as well as the agri-food industries sector (-14.6%) following the decrease in the value of olive oil (2,915.2 MD vs. 4,038.5 MD) and the textiles, clothing and leather sector (-1.3%).
Regarding product groupings, imports posted a rise in capital goods (+16.2%) and raw materials and semi-finished products (+8.1%), likewise imports of consumer goods are up (+11.4%).
In contrast, imports of energy products recorded a decrease of (-11.8%) and food products (-3.5%).
EU largely in the lead
Tunisian exports to the European Union (70.3% of total exports) reached the value of 32,622.6 MD during the first nine months of 2025, compared to 32,284.3 MD during the first nine months of 2024.
Exports are up with Germany (+11.2%), France (+8.4%) and the Netherlands (+7.2%). In contrast, they decreased with Italy (-10.1%) and Spain (-20.3%).
To Arab countries, exports increased with Libya (+7.4%), with Morocco (+35.9%), with Algeria (+11.6%) and with Egypt (+33.5%).
Regarding imports with the European Union (43.2% of total imports), they reached 27,306.2 MD, compared to 26,138.2 MD during the first nine months of 2024.
Imports went up with France (+12.7%) and with Germany (+8.6%). In contrast, they decreased with Italy (-2.4%), with Greece (-29.1%) and with Belgium (-7.1%).
Outside the European Union, imports increased with China (+29.4%) and Turkey (+17.7%). In contrast, they recorded a decrease with Russia (-22.8%) and Ukraine (-36.5%).
Balance of trade by product group
The trade balance is in deficit by (-16,728.3 MD). This deficit comes mainly from energy (-8,106.4 MD), raw materials and semi-finished products (-4,990.8 MD), capital goods (-2,693.7 MD) and consumer goods (-1,557.4 MD), in contrast the food group recorded a surplus of (+620 MD).
On the other hand, it should be noted that the trade deficit excluding energy is reduced to (-8,621.9 MD), while the energy balance deficit stands at (-8,106.4 MD), compared to (-8,422.1 MD) during the first nine months of 2024, the same source concluded.
