The 16th edition of the International Agricultural Investment and Technology Exhibition (SIAT) was officially inaugurated on October 28 at the Kram Exhibition Park in Tunis. The event, organized by the Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency (APIA), will run until October 31 and features the theme "Investing in Resilient and Smart Agriculture to Strengthen Food Sovereignty." The Italian pavilion, set up by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) in collaboration with FederUnacoma, is the largest national pavilion at the exhibition, covering an area of 126m².
The Italian pavilion showcases 15 Italian agricultural machinery brands, including Goldoni, Landini, FCR, Calderoni, and Pieralisi, represented by their local distributors. The exhibited products include tractors, inter-row and inter-plant sprayers, mulchers, bio-mulchers, mowers, treatment pumps, and olive harvest vibrators. Pieralisi, which has its own office in Tunisia, is presenting an integrated line consisting of the MY BLEND malaxer and its new Protoreattore, designed for small and medium-sized olive oil mills.
Other Italian companies, such as New Holland, a brand of the CNH group, are also participating in the exhibition. New Holland is showcasing nine high-power tractors and two large combine harvesters. The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) is also present at the exhibition, highlighting a €55 million credit line, the ADAPT program funded by the European Union, and the "Actions to Support the Implementation of Tunisian Bioterritories" project.
The Italian pavilion was visited by Tunisian Minister of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources, and Fisheries, Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, and his Senegalese counterpart, Cheikhou Oumar Ba, accompanied by Italian Ambassador Alessandro Prunas and ICE Tunis Director Bernard Prevete. The Italian ambassador emphasized the strength of the strategic partnership between Italy and Tunisia, which contributes to strengthening ties between Europe and Africa in favor of innovative, sustainable, and resilient agriculture.
According to the APIA, Tunisian agricultural investments are on the rise, with 4,120 operations authorized as of August 2026, representing a 12.1% increase compared to 2025, for a total value of 807.5 million dinars (€242.9 million). The 1,643 approved projects, worth 267.9 million dinars, are expected to create 1,569 new jobs. Tunisia has approximately 5.3 million hectares of usable agricultural land.
The Italian industry is performing well, with a production of agricultural machinery reaching €14.3 billion in 2025, up 2.1% from the previous year. In the first four months of 2026, tractor registrations in Italy increased by 4.6%. Italy is Tunisia's leading European supplier and its largest supplier of agricultural machinery, with a 30.5% market share in 2025.
The Italian participation in SIAT 2026 aims to strengthen partnerships between companies, promote technology transfer, and encourage productive investments. The event provides a platform for Italian companies to showcase their products and expertise, capitalizing on the growing demand for agricultural technology in Tunisia and the wider region.
Key points
- The Italian pavilion at SIAT 2026 features 15 Italian agricultural machinery brands and covers an area of 126m².
- Tunisian agricultural investments have increased by 12.1% as of August 2026, with 4,120 operations authorized.
- Italy is Tunisia's largest supplier of agricultural machinery, with a 30.5% market share in 2025.
