Tunisia Ranks 10th in Food Imports, with Estimated Value of $2.873 Billion from 2021-2023
According to the report "The State of Commodity Dependence 2025" published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Tunisia ranks 10th in terms of food imports, with an estimated value of $2.873 billion over the period 2021-2023.
Top 10 Countries by Food Imports
The ranking is dominated by:
- Egypt, with $16.43 billion
- Algeria, with $9.99 billion
- Morocco, with $8.71 billion
- South Africa, with $6.07 billion
- Nigeria, with $5.59 billion Followed by:
- Angola, with $5.46 billion
- Ghana, with $3.61 billion
- Libya, with $3.24 billion
- Côte d'Ivoire, with $3.07 billion
- Tunisia, with $2.873 billion, closing the top 10
Tunisia's Position Reflects Relative Dependence on Imports
This position reflects Tunisia's relative dependence on food imports, while highlighting its potential to reduce this bill through its own agri-food performance. In 2024, Tunisian exports in the sector reached a record 8.47 billion dinars ($2.6 billion), driven by olive oil, dates, and processed products, confirming that the country can rely on its strong agri-food potential to balance its trade balance.
Common Challenge of Food Security in Africa
The UNCTAD also notes that several African countries remain heavily dependent on food imports, posing a common challenge of food security for the continent. In this context, Tunisia stands out both for its integration into this ranking and for its assets to be valued in regional and international markets.
