Tunisia Rises to 5th Place Among Olive Oil Suppliers to Japan
Japan imports more than 50,000 t of olive oil each year. Tunisia now ranks fifth in the Japanese market for packaged olive oil, behind Spain, Italy, Turkey and Greece.
Export figures
- 2025 export value to Japan: 86.4 million TND
- Agri‑food sector: 69.8 million TND (≈ 80.7 % of total) – CEPEX press release.
- Untapped potential: estimated at US $34 million for Tunisian olive oil.
Japanese market snapshot
- Domestic production: ≈ 600 t of olive oil per year, mainly from about 30 producers on Shōdoshima Island.
- Consumption of extra‑virgin olive oil (EVOO) is still heavily import‑dependent.
CEPEX webinar – “The Japanese Olive Oil Market & the International JOOP Competition”
On Thursday, 26 February 2026, CEPEX hosted a virtual conference in partnership with the Tunisian Embassy in Tokyo and the organizing committee of the Japan Olive Oil Prize (JOOP).
Key points covered:
| Topic | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Consumer expectations | • Impeccable traceability • Consistent organoleptic quality • Strict regulatory compliance • Premium, locally‑adapted packaging |
| Market entry channels | From specialised importers to premium e‑platforms |
| JOOP competition benefits | • Access to B2B matchmaking with Japanese buyers • Increased visibility in the Japanese market • Invitations to specialised trade fairs in Japan |
| Participation | Over 30 Tunisian olive‑oil exporters, plus representatives from chambers of commerce, the National Oil Office, and the Technical Centre for Packaging & Conditioning (Packtec). |
The 2026 JOOP edition will take place on 17 April 2026. Applications are open until 31 March 2026.
Recent export growth (2025/2026 campaign)
| Metric | First 3 months of 2025/2026 | Same period previous campaign | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantity exported | 130.9 k t | 84.1 k t | +55.7 % |
| Export value | TND 1,621.2 m | TND 1,202.3 m | +34.8 % |
Source: National Agriculture Observatory (ONAGRI).
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Keywords: Tunisia olive oil export, Japan olive oil market, CEPEX webinar, Japan Olive Oil Prize, JOOP 2026, Tunisian agri‑food sector, olive oil packaging, traceability, premium olive oil.
