Tunisian Olive Oil Sector Shows Record Growth in Early 2025‑2026 Campaign
The latest figures from the National Agriculture Observatory (ONAGRI) reveal a remarkable surge in Tunisia’s olive‑oil industry during the first three months of the current campaign (November 2025 – January 2026).
Export Volumes
- 130.9 k tonnes exported – a record high.
- Up from 84.1 k tonnes in the same period last season, +55.7 %.
Revenue Impact
- Export value reached 1 621.2 million Tunisian dinars, +34.8 % versus the previous season’s 1 202.3 million dinars.
- The boost is driven by strong global demand, especially for extra‑virgin olive oil (EVOO), which accounts for 89.5 % of total exported volume.
Packaging Breakdown
| Packaging | Share of Volume | Volume (k t) | Share of Revenue | Avg. Price (DZD/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk (in‑bulk) | 88.4 % | 115.7 | — | — |
| Packaged (bottles, tins, etc.) | 11.6 % | — | 15.7 % of total revenue | 16.73 |
Although packaged oil represents a modest volume share, its higher added value yields a disproportionate revenue contribution.
Geographic Distribution
- Europe remains the dominant market: 55.4 % of exports.
- Spain leads with 30.9 %.
- Italy follows at 18.9 %.
- North America accounts for 21.1 %, with the United States alone at 16.8 %.
Organic Olive Oil Segment
- By end‑January, 12.6 k tonnes of organic olive oil were exported, worth 170.8 million dinars.
- Italy absorbs 42 % of these premium shipments, Spain 22 %.
Strategic Insight
The price premium of packaged oil versus bulk underscores a strategic opportunity for Tunisia: developing its own export‑ready brands rather than relying solely on raw oil destined for European refineries.
Further Reading
Organic olive oil: 12 600 tonnes exported, Italy first market
