Tunisia’s trade deficit surged to 3,517.9 million dinars (MD) during the first two months of 2025, marking a staggering 97.64% increase compared to the same period in 2024 (-1779.9 MD), according to the results of Tunisia’s external trade at current prices, published on Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Trade exchanges reached 10,169.2 MD in exports and 13,687.1 MD in imports during the first two months of 2025.
The coverage rate of imports by exports stood at 74.3%, compared to 85.7% during the same period in 2024. Excluding energy, the trade balance deficit decreased to 1,672.4 MD.
The energy balance deficit reached 1,845.4 MD during the first two months of 2025, compared to a deficit of 1,822.6 MD during the same period in 2024.
Exports Decline by 44%
The decline in exports during the first two months of 2025 is primarily due to a drop in energy sector exports (-5.1%), driven by reduced sales of refined products (59 MD compared to 345.9 MD), as well as a decrease in the agri-food industry sector (-16.5%) following lower olive oil sales (1007.6 MD compared to 1323.9 MD).
Similarly, exports from the mechanical and electrical industries sector fell by 5%, while the textile, clothing, and leather sector saw a 0.6% decline. On the other hand, exports from the mining, phosphates, and derivatives sector increased by 9%.
Imports rise by 10.2%
The increase in imports (+10.2%) is attributed to higher imports of equipment goods (+12.5%), raw materials and semi-finished products (+11.9%), consumer goods (+14.3%), and food products (+10.6%). In contrast, energy product imports remained stagnant (-0.02%).
It is essential to note that Tunisia’s trade deficit of 3,517.9 million dinars (MD) during the first two months of 2025 is primarily driven by deficits in trade with certain countries, notably China (-2,077.8 MD) and Russia (-1,092.3 MD), according to the results of Tunisia’s external trade at current prices, published on Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
This deficit also stems from trade imbalances with Algeria (-583.9 MD), Turkey (-483.7 MD), Greece (-273.7 MD), and India (-193.2 MD). On the other hand, the trade balance for goods recorded a surplus with other countries, mainly France (712.6 MD), Italy (511.7 MD), Germany (475.7 MD), Libya (395.2 MD), and Morocco (143.6 MD).
China makes a strong comeback
Tunisian exports to the European Union, which account for 69.7% of total exports, decreased by 6.9%. This decline is explained by reduced exports to some European partners, such as France (-7.9%), Italy (-3%), and Spain (-43.9%), while exports to Germany (+10.7%) and the Netherlands (+34%) increased.
Regarding exports to Arab countries, they rose with Libya (+51.6%), Morocco (+40.6%), Algeria (+11.8%), and Egypt (+149.1%).
As for imports from the European Union, which represent 42.2% of total imports, they increased by 1.6%, reaching 5770.4 MD.
Imports rose with France (+5.1%), Italy (+1.3%), and Germany (+5.4%), but declined with Spain (-1.6%) and Belgium (-12.4%).
Outside the European Union, imports increased with China (+70.9%), Russia (+5.1%), India (+6.2%), and Turkey (+15.6%).
