Tunisian olive oil exports show strong growth but face value-added challenges

Tunisian olive oil exports significantly increased in volume and value during the first seven months of the 2025/2026 campaign, driven by a strong harvest and international demand, according to Onagri data. Exports reached 327.4 thousand tons, a 57.9% rise from 207.3 thousand tons in the previous year, generating 4,058.5 million dinars, a 44.9% increase from 2,801.2 million dinars. Despite this growth, the sector faces structural weaknesses due to the predominance of bulk exports. Packaged oil accounts for only 12.9% of volumes and 17.2% of total revenue, while bulk exports make up 87.1% of volumes. Extra virgin olive oil remains dominant, representing 83.3% of exported volumes. In May 2026, the average export price decreased by 2% to 12.96 dinars per kilogram from 13.23 dinars in May 2025. The European market is the primary destination, receiving 57.8% of exports, followed by North America 22.8%, Asia 11.5%, and Africa 4.2%. Spain is the leading importer with 33.6% of volumes, followed by Italy 19.5% and the United States 18.3%. Organic olive oil exports also grew, reaching 44.5 thousand tons valued at 583.4 million dinars, but packaged organic oil represents only 5.5% of this category's volumes. Italy leads imports of Tunisian organic olive oil with 38% of volumes, followed by Spain 26%, the United States 24%, and France 8%. The sector's overall performance highlights olive oil's central role in Tunisian agricultural exports, but its heavy reliance on bulk sales limits valu