Tunisia’s export sector recorded a solid performance in the first quarter of 2026, driven by a surge in olive oil sales and robust activity in the mechanical and electrical industries. However, a widening energy deficit continues to cast a shadow over the country’s overall trade balance.
According to data released for the first three months of the year ending March 31, 2026, Tunisian exports reached 16.266 billion dinars, reflecting a 6.1% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
Agri-Food and manufacturing lead the charge
The growth was primarily fueled by two key sectors. The agri-food industry soared by 16.1%, a performance boosted by the remarkable rise in olive oil exports, which jumped from 1.442 billion dinars to 1.991 billion dinars.
Meanwhile, the mechanical and electrical industries—a cornerstone of the Tunisian economy—posted a strong 10.6% increase.
Conversely, the mining, phosphate, and derivatives sector experienced a sharp decline of 20.3%, while the textile, clothing, and leather sector contracted by 5%.
On the import side, total purchases rose 5.5% to 21.499 billion dinars. This increase was broad-based, affecting most product categories, including food products (+13.9%), capital goods (+5.3%), and energy products (+4.2%).
As a result, the trade deficit widened to 5.232 billion dinars, up from 5.0495 billion dinars a year earlier. The coverage rate—the ratio of exports to imports—remained relatively stable at 75.7%.
Energy: Weakness of balance sheet
An analysis by product group reveals a stark contrast. While the food sector generated a comfortable surplus of 798.3 million dinars, the overall deficit was heavily impacted by energy imports, which weighed in at a staggering -2.990 billion dinars, along with raw materials and semi-finished products (-1.601 billion dinars). Excluding energy, the trade deficit would have been limited to just 2.242 billion dinars.
Europe remains essential, while regional trade shifts
The European Union remains Tunisia’s indispensable trading partner, absorbing 71.5% of total exports. Sales to key European markets saw notable increases, including France (+10.6%), Italy (+4%), and Germany (+3.3%).
Regionally, there was a significant surge in exports to Saudi Arabia (+80.6%) and Egypt (+52.9%), though trade with Maghreb neighbors (Morocco, Algeria, Libya) declined sharply.
On the import front outside the EU, Tunisia increased its purchases from India (+39.5%) and Turkey (+6.3%), while significantly reducing imports from Russia (-61.6%) and China (-7.3%).
