The runaway spiral of Tunisia's trade deficit
There was no relief for Tunisia's trade deficit during this period. Exports slightly decreased to 31,773.7 MD (from 31,953.8 MD in H1 2024), while imports rose to 41,674.2 MD (from 39,971.2 MD).
As a result of this export decline (-0.6%) and import increase (+4.3%), the trade deficit widened to -9,900.5 MD, compared to -8,017.4 MD during the same period in 2024. The coverage rate fell to 76.2% (down from 79.9%), according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
By sector, exports in the mining, phosphates, and derivatives sector increased by (+11.2%), the mechanical and electrical industries sector by (+6.2%), and the textiles, clothing, and leather sector by (+0.4%).
In contrast, exports declined in the energy sector by (-36.3%) due to reduced sales of refined products (245.6 million dinars compared to 950.4 million dinars), as well as in the agri-food industry sector by (-19.1%) following a drop in olive oil sales (2,346.6 million dinars compared to 3,406 million dinars).
By product category, imports increased in capital goods (+17.6%), raw materials and semi-finished products (+6.2%), and consumer goods (+11.6%).
On the other hand, imports of energy products decreased by (-16.3%), and food products declined by (-2%).
Exports to Egypt surge by 44.7%
Tunisian exports to the European Union during the first half of 2025 (representing 70.3% of total exports) reached 22,348.9 MD, compared to 22,332.6 MD in the same period of 2024.
Exports increased to Germany (+15.2%), France (+4.8%) and the Netherlands (+12.4%). However, they fell to Italy (-7.1%) and Spain (-31.9%).
In Arab countries, exports rose to Libya (+18.7%), Morocco (+40.9%), Algeria (+27.8%) and Egypt (+44.7%).
Regarding imports from the European Union (44% of total imports), they reached 18,354 MD in the first half of 2025, compared to 17,601.9 MD during the same period in 2024.
Imports increased from France (+13.4%), Italy (+1.4%) and Germany (+10.6%). However, they decreased from Greece (-28.5%) and Belgium (-4.1%).
Outside the EU, imports rose from China (+37.7%) and Turkey (+15.4%), while they declined from Russia (-20.1%) and India (-16.5%).
Deficit Driven Mainly by Energy
The trade balance recorded a deficit of -9,900.5 MD), primarily due to the energy sector: -5,214.8 MD, raw materials & semi-finished goods: -3,257.9 MD, capital goods: -1,588.1 MD and consumer goods: -663.8 MD.
In contrast, the food products group posted a surplus of +824.1 MD.
It should be noted that the non-energy trade deficit narrowed to -4,685.7 MD.
The energy trade deficit stood at -5,214.8 MD, compared to -5,794.1 MD in the first half of 2024.
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