Tunisian Textile and Clothing Sector Exceeds Six Billion Dinars in Exports by End of August 2025
The Tunisian textile and clothing sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and a significant upgrade in its industry, despite a tense global environment and increased competition from countries like Egypt.
A Promising Performance
According to Haythem Bouajila, President of the Tunisian Federation of Textile and Clothing (FTTH), the sector's exports surpassed six billion dinars by August 31, 2025. This result is considered very encouraging, given the global economic context. Bouajila, speaking on a radio panel, specified that this figure is part of the continuity of performances recorded in previous years, where the sector achieved annual balances ranging from 9 to 9.6 billion dinars. This stability, he said, testifies to the resilience of the Tunisian clothing industry, despite the rise of regional competition.
Regional Competition
The official cited the example of Egypt, which is heavily investing in denim and jeans segments and now represents a direct competitor for Tunisian companies. Nevertheless, Tunisia has managed to maintain its position in international markets thanks to a clear strategy of upgrading its products. "Tunisian products are distinguished today by their quality and specialization in high-value-added niches, which explains their ability to resist competitors with lower production costs," he emphasized.
Challenges Facing the Sector
Despite these export performances, the sector faces numerous structural challenges. The Tunisian clothing industry, considered one of the main drivers of the national economy, suffers from a growing shortage of skilled labor, an insufficient transportation system, and the negative effects of the parallel market and smuggling. These constraints weigh on the sector's competitiveness and hinder its ability to respond to the growing demand from international customers. To address this, the FTTH is advocating for more adapted public policies, particularly in vocational training, logistical modernization, and the fight against the informal economy.
A Strategic Pillar of the Tunisian Economy
Despite these obstacles, the textile and clothing sector remains a strategic pillar of the Tunisian economy, a major exporting sector, and an essential employer, symbolizing a recognized expertise at the Euro-Mediterranean level.
