Tunisia’s economic system is diversified. The COVID-19 epidemic continued to have a significant negative influence on GDP in 2021. The control restrictions that were put in place in 2020 were loosened, yet Tunisia’s GDP increased by 3.1% in 2021. In 2022, despite real GDP growing by 2.1% in the first half, financial troubles persisted. The European Bank for Infrastructure and Development predicted its economy will expand by just 2% by the end of 2022.

The INS reports that overall exports rose 20.5% in 2021. Mostly as a result of growth in exports of fuel, automotive and electronic parts, clothing, and outerwear, as well as mineral goods. Fuel and mining shipments, particularly those of phosphate and crude oil, have generally shown significant year-to-year variation. However, because of the decline in olive oil sales, farm product trades fell by 3.9% in 2021.

Start exporting 

You just need to first obtain a license before you can start your exportation activity. Then you can proceed with packing items, passing customs, and receiving money. A person must present the required paperwork to the authorities to receive their license. You must decide what to ship from Tunisia before you acquire your permit. For more information, see the list of top exports below.

Major exports 

The major goods that the nation exports to other countries are listed below.

Insulated wire

Market growth in Tunisia for insulated electric wire and cable is anticipated from 2020 to 2026. It was the 18th biggest exporter of shielded cable on the planet in 2020 with $1.83 billion in exports. Electrical wire ranked as the top sale in the same year. Germany, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are Tunisia’s top markets for insulated wire.

Olive oil 

By the end of January 2022, Tunisia’s export earnings from olive oil increased marginally by 32% to 620.6 million dinars from the previous year. Exports of packed olive oil account for just 18% of these earnings. 85% of the total amounts of extra virgin olive oil are sold. In 2022, the cost of huge quantities of extra virgin olive oil shipped from Tunisia was 10.5DT/kg. Natural olive oil sold for an average market price of €3.47/kg.

Clothes

In 2021, the number of garments exported to Europe increased by 11.27%. With a trade share of 2.69%, Tunisia ranks as the ninth-largest supplier of clothes to the EU. About €208 million worth of denim was exported to Europe last year. As the world’s largest provider of jeans, Tunisia currently commands an average price that is €18.01 higher than the price per piece in 2020.

Vehicles

Tunisia was the 112th-largest exporter of automobiles in 2020 with $1.51M in exports. In the same year, automobiles were Tunisia’s 315th most exported goods. The top five countries to which the country exports automobiles are Nigeria, France, Morocco, Italy, and Belgium. Nigeria, Morocco, and Belgium saw the fastest export growth for Cars in Tunisia during 2019 and 2020.

Major export destinations 

The following step will be to identify the ideal target market after deciding what to export to generate capital for the country. The following are the principal export markets:

France 

Strong commercial and financial ties exist between France and Tunisia. With nearly 30% of commodities going to France and more than 14% of its purchases coming from France, France was Tunisia’s top economic ally in 2018. 

France is the largest provider of international direct capital in the country. With approximately 30% of Tunisia’s exports flowing to France, the country still counts France as its top client.

Italy 

Tunisia exported $2.36 billion to Italy in 2020. The three largest exports from the country to Italy are non-knit men’s clothes, extra-virgin olive oil, and shielded cable. Tunisia’s sales to Italy have grown at an average level of 3.15% over the past 25 years. 

Transportation, tourism, and unallocated services accounted for the majority of Tunisia’s $560 million in 2004 service exports to Italy.

Germany 

After France and Italy, Germany is Tunisia’s third-largest export market and potential buyer. There are now 260 German businesses operating in the country. They have made more than 350 million euros in investments in the nation and hire 60,000 people locally. 

It sold $1.95 billion to Germany in 2020. Coated wire, non-knit men’s clothing, and low-voltage protective devices were Tunisia’s top exports to Germany.