Overview

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Tunisia was worth 38.80 billion US dollars in 2019, according to official data from the World Bank and projections from Trading Economics. The GDP value of Tunisia represents 0.03 percent of the world economy. This page contains the latest international trade data for Tunisia, including service trade data, and tariffs. In 2018 Tunisia was the number 96 economy in the world in terms of GDP (current US$), the number 79 in total exports, the number 78 in total imports, and the number 64 most complex economy according to the Economic Complexity Index (ECI). In 2018, Tunisia exported $15.2B and imported $20.2B, resulting in a negative trade balance of -$4.96B. In 2018, Tunisia's exports per capita were $1.32k and its imports per capita were $1.75k.

Agriculture in Tunisia is a very important economic sector. In 2012, it generated 8.5% - 11.5% if we add agri-food - of the national GDP and provides 15% of jobs. The main agricultural products of the country are cereals (wheat and barley), olives, dates and citrus fruits for the vegetable sector and sheep for the animal sector. The olive and phoenicultural sectors are largely export-oriented. Olive growing accounted for 40% of national exports in 2017 and comes just second behind the textile sector.

Generic country information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a general overview of country data related to the service and supply sectors, please consult to following sources: The Observatory of Economic Complexity – MIT (OEC): (https://oec.world/en/profile/country/tun)

Processing of cereals and derivatives

The processing of cereals and derivatives is an important activity in the agri-food sector, insofar as it processes a staple product and provides many jobs. It should be noted that the activity of this branch is constantly evolving whatever the performance of agriculture, since the possible cereal deficit caused by years of drought is, in any case, made up by imports.

• First processing units - flour-semolina mill: There are currently 28 mills (compared to 21 in 1994) with a processing capacity of 110,000 quintals / day, or nearly 33 million quintals per year, on the basis of 300 working days against 18 million quintals at the beginning of the years. 90, ie an almost doubling of capacities in 10 years. These units supply a local market whose level of consumption tends to peak at the level of 20 million quintals. This translates into average exploitation rates below 60% of current production capacity. The flour mills employ around 2,500 people, with a management rate of 6%.
• Secondary processing units - Bakeries: The bakery branch occupies the first position in terms of number of units in all the agri-food industries, with more than 2,400 bakeries.

The units are located all over the country and continue to see their number increase, given the development of town planning and the creation of new cities in large cities, despite a certain decline in the level of bread consumption per capita. inhabitant. The production capacity of bread is of the order of 1.5 million tonnes / year, which is double the national consumption of this product. In 2012, bread production reached 847,000 tonnes against 817,000 tonnes in 2008, an increase of 4%.

• Pasta and couscous: The pasta and couscous activity have around twenty units, of which only 16 are in production (9 manufacture pasta, 3 manufacture couscous and 4 mixed units).

These units provide around 1,000 permanent jobs (700 for the production of pasta and 300 for the manufacture of couscous). In 2018 the production of pasta and couscous reached 321,000 tons. Five units, integrated into semolina factories, provide 80% of pasta production and 50% of couscous production.

The manufacture of fresh pasta, in some artisan establishments, such as caterers and pizzerias, is developing.

• Concentrated feed: The concentrated feed branch has undergone significant development in recent years. It currently has around 200 production units, of which 53 are state-owned, the rest in the private sector. The production capacity is estimated at around 2.6 million tons per year distributed at a rate of 49% in the North, 40% in the Center and 11% in the South. The capacity utilization rate is only 35%.

In terms of working with cereals, a distinction should be made between 1st and 2nd processing. The primary processing factories meet the country's needs in flour and semolina. These units are well distributed over the country. They process local and imported raw materials to ensure self-sufficiency.

As for the secondary processing industry (pasta and couscous units, biscuits, biscuits and bakeries), it is experiencing an average increase in consumption of 3.5% for basic products, such as pasta, couscous and bread, and 2% for other products: biscuit, rusk, pastry. This development, almost equivalent to population growth, is considered moderate, and is explained by the saturation of the local market.

The pasta and couscous branch of activity is expected to experience an increase in production of 5% for pasta and 3% for couscous, it being understood that companies are called upon to continue their upgrading programs. and consolidate the gains in quality assurance and the export trend developed in recent years.

Processing of tomatoes

Production: Tunisia is among the top 10 tomato processing countries in the world and occupies sixth place among AMITOM countries. In terms of DCT use, Tunisia ranks first globally, with an average consumption of around 50 kg / year / capita. The same consumption does not exceed 35 kg in the USA and 24 kg in Italy. Canned tomatoes represent around 90% of the activity of canned vegetables and fruit, with an annual processing average of around 600,000 tons of fresh tomatoes. In terms of diversification, production remains focused on a single product, namely DCT. Other varieties of products, such as simple tomato paste, triple tomato paste (32/36%), peeled tomatoes, and other products derived from tomatoes (Ketchup, tomato coulis, sun-dried tomatoes, powdered tomatoes, based sauces tomato ...) are produced in very small quantities. The transformation in 2017 was carried out by 27 units among the 30 existing ones.

Quantities: Processed at the end of the campaign reached 804,000 tons of fresh tomatoes, with a DCT production of 134,000 tons.

Special Pole of the Enterprises in Tunisia promoting the agri-food activities and Food consumption:

1. The Bizerte Competitiveness Cluster – (Pole de Competitivité de Bizerte PCB): he Bizerte Competitiveness Cluster is part of the National strategy for the promotion of the agrifood sector of the XIth Development Plan, it brings together three components:

The Technopôle is the coordinator-coordinator of the Tunisian agrifood sector. It complements the various organizations and institutions that already exist. In accordance with the national Technopoles program in Tunisia, the Bizerte Agri-food Technopole with a national vocation is based on 3 pillars:

1. Research and development
2. Training
3. Production

The interaction between these 3 elements will promote the creation of synergies, the promotion of innovation and the increase of competitiveness.

National Institute of Consumption (INC)

Created by the Law No. 2008-70 of November 10, 2008, establishing the National Institute of Consumption (INC). In the name of the people,

• The Chamber of Deputies and the Chamber of Advisors having adopted,
• The President of the Republic promulgates the law, the content of which follows:

Art. 1 - A public administrative establishment, with legal personality and financial autonomy, called the national consumer institute is created.

The National Consumer Institute is placed under the supervision of the Minister for Trade.

Art. 2 - The mission of the institute is to provide technical support to organizations and institutions concerned with the fields of consumption. It also contributes to the promotion of consumer information, their orientation and the rationalization of their behavior.

To this end, the institute is notably responsible for the following missions:

• carry out, on its own initiative or at the request of public authorities or consumer protection organizations, analyzes and comparative tests on products by laboratories authorized for this purpose and / or accredited,
• carry out studies and research on the scientific, economic, legal and social aspects of the consumption of goods and services,
• contribute to the development and collection of scientific, technical and legal documents related to the areas of consumption, ensure their conservation and make them operational,
• publish the results of analyzes and comparative tests, inform consumers and professionals of the content of these results and make them available to the authorities and institutions concerned, publish the results of studies and research relating to the consumption of goods and services,
• inform consumer of everything related to the areas of consumption,
• cooperate with similar national and international institutions.

The institute performs any other mission, which will be entrusted to it by the supervisory authority, within the framework of its attributions.

Art. 3 - The administrative and financial organization as well as the operating procedures of the national consumer institute are set by decree on a proposal from the minister responsible for trade.

Art. 4 - The Institute's receipts consist of:

• grants and subsidies granted by the State and other legal persons or by national and international institutions and organizations,
• income from the sale of its publications or remunerating its services,
• income from the management of its property,
• donations and bequests.

Art. 5 - In the event of the dissolution of the institute, its property will be returned to the State, which will execute the commitments entered into by the institute under the regulations in force.

This law will be published in the Official Journal of the Republic of Tunisia and executed as law of the State. Tunis, November 10, 2008.

• Carry out, on its own initiative or at the request of public authorities or consumer defense organizations, analyzes and comparative tests on products by laboratories authorized for this purpose and / or accredited
• Carry out studies and research on the scientific, economic, legal and social aspects of the consumption of goods and services
• Contribute to the development and collection of scientific, technical and legal documents related to the areas of consumption, ensure their conservation and make them operational
• Publish the results of analyzes and comparative tests, inform consumers and professionals of the content of these results and make them available to the authorities and institutions concerned.
• Publish the results of studies and research relating to the consumption of goods and services. Inform the consumer of everything related to the areas of consumption.
• Cooperate with similar national and international institutions

The institute performs any other mission, which will be entrusted to it by the supervisory authority, within the framework of its attributions.

For information on Tunisia Food and Additional Suppliers, please see the following link: 4.10 Tunisia Supplier Contact List.

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