Trade Deficit Narrows in January 2026
The trade deficit narrowed in January 2026 to a level of -1287.6 million dinars (MD), compared to -1764.6 MD during the same period in 2025, according to the note on Foreign Trade at current prices for January 2026 published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) on Thursday. This deficit is due to the energy products group (-927.4 MD), raw materials and semi-finished products (-433.1 MD), equipment goods (-324.7 MD), and consumer goods (-27.4 MD). On the other hand, the food group recorded a surplus of +424.9 MD. It is also worth noting that the trade deficit excluding energy narrowed to -360.3 MD, while the energy balance deficit stood at -927.4 MD, compared to -1078.4 MD in January 2025. The coverage rate reached a level of 80.4%, compared to 74% in January 2025.
5.4% Increase in Exports in January 2026
The results of Tunisia's trade exchanges with the outside world at current prices during January 2026 show that exports reached a level of 5298.7 MD, compared to 5025.7 MD in January 2025, recording a 5.4% increase. By sector, exports recorded a significant increase in the energy sector (+140%) due to the increase in sales of refined products (100.3 MD compared to 28.5 MD). Similarly, the mechanical and electrical industries sector recorded a 6.4% increase, and the agri-food industries sector recorded a 1% increase, following the increase in olive oil sales (610.5 MD compared to 518.4 MD). On the other hand, exports recorded a decline in the mining, phosphate, and derivatives sector (-23.6%) and the textile, clothing, and leather sector (-2.1%). For Tunisian exports to the European Union, which accounted for 71.6% of total exports in January 2026, they reached a value of 3791.4 MD, compared to 3413.8 MD in January 2025. Exports increased with France (+16.5%) and Italy (+3.3%). However, they decreased with certain European partners, including Germany (-0.3%) and the Netherlands (-21%). To Arab countries, exports increased with Egypt (+41.8%) and the United Arab Emirates (+24.8%). However, they decreased with Morocco (-67.3%), Algeria (-10.8%), and Libya (-24.8%).
3% Decrease in Imports in January 2026
As for imports, they reached a level of 6586.4 MD, compared to 6790.3 MD in January 2025, recording a 3% decrease. By product group, imports recorded an increase in equipment goods (+6.9%) and energy products (+3.9%). Similarly, consumer goods imports increased by 1.1%. On the other hand, imports of raw materials and semi-finished products decreased by 5.5%, and food products decreased by 32.5%. Regarding imports from the European Union, which accounted for 45.8% of total imports, they reached 3017.9 MD, compared to 2830.3 MD in January 2025. Imports increased with France (+50.6%) and Germany (+10.3%). However, they decreased with Spain (-6.7%) and the Netherlands (-25.7%). Outside the European Union, imports increased with Turkey (+4.7%) and India (+21.2%). However, they recorded a decline with Russia (-70.2%) and China (-7.5%). Read also: Interest Rate: Ceilings Set for the First Half of 2026
