Tunisia: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in Tunisia

The Tunisian date market expanded notably to $X in 2022, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed resilient growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Date Production in Tunisia

In value terms, date production expanded significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -9.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average yield of dates in Tunisia reached X tons per ha, almost unchanged from 2021 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, the average date yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the harvested area of dates in Tunisia rose to X ha, with an increase of 3.4% on the previous year. In general, the total harvested area indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, date harvested area decreased by -3.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 25% against the previous year. The date harvested area peaked at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Date Exports

Exports from Tunisia

In 2022, approx. X tons of dates were exported from Tunisia; remaining stable against the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 19%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, date exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Morocco (X tons), France (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main destinations of date exports from Tunisia, together comprising 41% of total exports. Italy, Malaysia, Libya, Indonesia, Turkey, Spain, the United States, India, the UK and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +23.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Morocco ($X), Germany ($X) and France ($X) were the largest markets for date exported from Tunisia worldwide, together comprising 42% of total exports. Malaysia, Italy, Indonesia, the United States, Spain, Turkey, the UK, Russia, India and Libya lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, India, with a CAGR of +13.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average date export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 9.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 19%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Libya ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+3.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Date Imports

Imports into Tunisia

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of dates decreased by -3.2% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 138%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, date imports rose sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 149% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Morocco (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of date to Tunisia, accounting for a 53% share of total imports. Moreover, date imports from Morocco exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Algeria (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Italy (X tons), with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Morocco amounted to +23.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Algeria (+25.9% per year) and Italy (+23.9% per year).

In value terms, Morocco ($X) constituted the largest supplier of dates to Tunisia, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($X), with a 7.4% share of total imports. It was followed by Denmark, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Morocco stood at +22.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+25.6% per year) and Denmark (+38.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average date import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 9.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the price for Malta ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Denmark (+9.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform