(Ecofin Agency) - At the end of January 2018, Tunisia had a positive agricultural trade balance of TND76 million ($31.7). During the same period in 2017, it registered a TND232.9 million ($97 million) deficit. This was disclosed by the ministry of agriculture, hydraulic resources and fishery.

Such performance is due to a surge by 102.3% in foodstuff exports (TND481.9 million) and decline by 13.4% in imports (TND405.9 million), compared to the previous year.

The main products exported during the period under review are olive oil (+228%), sea products (+62%), canned vegetables and fruits (+55%) and dates (+43%) while the agricultural products which were the least imported are corn (60%) barley (57%) and soft wheat (17%).

It is worth noting that agriculture provides 10% of overall export revenues and accounts for 10% of GDP to the country.

Espoir Olodo