• Tunisia’s trade deficit rose to 18.43 billion dinars ($6.3 billion), up from 15.71 billion dinars in 2024.

•  Exports increased slightly to 52.21 billion dinars but fell in energy and agri-food sectors due to lower olive-oil sales.

• Imports grew 4.9% to 70.65 billion dinars, driven by equipment goods, raw materials and consumer products.

Tunisia recorded a wider trade deficit over the first ten months of 2025, reaching 18.43 billion dinars ($6.3 billion) compared with 15.71 billion dinars in the same period last year. The National Institute of Statistics (INS) released the figures on Wednesday, 12 November 2025. The country continued to struggle with an imbalance between import momentum and modest export growth.

The deficit widened because imports grew faster than exports. Tunisia’s exports rose to 52.21 billion dinars from 51.62 billion dinars in 2024. The mining, phosphates and derivatives sector, along with mechanical and electrical industries, drove the increase.

The export boost remained limited due to declines in the energy and agri-food sectors following a drop in olive-oil sales. Meanwhile, imports climbed to 70.65 billion dinars, representing a 4.9% increase. The economy imported more equipment goods, raw materials and consumer products, reflecting stronger domestic demand and persistent reliance on foreign supplies.

Tunisia maintained strong links with the European Union, which absorbed 70.5% of total exports. Exports to Germany grew by 10.7%, to France by 9.6% and to the Netherlands by 6.4%. However, shipments to Italy and Spain declined. On the import side, flows from the EU represented 43.3% of Tunisia’s total, reaching 30.58 billion dinars.

Imports also increased from China and Turkey but decreased from Russia and India. Regional Arab partners included Libya, Morocco, Algeria and Egypt, which continued to account for significant bilateral trade volumes.

This article was initially published in by Lydie Mobio

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum