Major Spanish agricultural organizations and cooperatives, including ASAJA, COAG, UPA, and Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de España, have joined forces to demand stricter rules on olive oil imports. They are specifically targeting Tunisia, which has seen a significant increase in production and exports. The Spanish groups are calling for the abolition of the active refinement regime and the suspension of the tariff quota applicable to Tunisian olive oil. This move comes as the olive oil market is dominated by Spain.
According to the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, the country's olive oil production for the 2025/2026 campaign was initially estimated at nearly 1.372 million tons. However, by the end of March 2026, the actual production recorded was 1.2815 million tons, down from 1.416 million tons for the entire previous campaign. Meanwhile, Tunisia is experiencing an exceptional campaign, with an estimated production of around 500,000 tons of olive oil for 2025/2026, a 47% increase from the previous campaign. This puts Tunisia in second place globally, behind Spain.
Tunisia's increased production has led to a significant rise in exports. Between November 2025 and August 2026, the country exported 381,200 tons of olive oil, up 50.8% from the same period in the previous campaign. The export earnings reached 4.7804 billion dinars, a 41.2% increase. These numbers give added weight to the Spanish agricultural sector's concerns about market disruption caused by certain imports.
The Spanish organizations consider some imports to be a factor in market disruption and are calling for greater traceability and control. However, their position is a professional claim rather than a decision made by Madrid or Brussels. The challenge for Tunisia will be to determine whether the Spanish agricultural front can translate its sectoral pressure into a political initiative that could change the conditions for accessing the European market.
The olive oil market is a significant sector in both Spain and Tunisia. Spain is the world's largest producer, and any changes to import regulations could have far-reaching consequences for the industry. Tunisia's olive oil exports are a crucial part of its economy, and any disruption to these exports could have significant economic implications.
The Spanish agricultural sector's mobilization against Tunisian olive oil imports is not a sudden move. It comes after months of growing concern about the impact of imports on the Spanish market. The sector is seeking greater protection and stricter regulations to ensure a level playing field for Spanish producers.
The outcome of this mobilization remains to be seen. Will the Spanish agricultural front be able to persuade policymakers to take action against Tunisian olive oil imports? Or will Tunisia find a way to maintain its current level of exports to the European market? One thing is certain: the stakes are high for both countries, and the consequences of any changes to import regulations will be closely watched by the industry.
Key points
- Spanish agricultural organizations demand stricter rules on olive oil imports, targeting Tunisia's growing exports.
- Tunisia's olive oil production and exports have increased significantly, with 500,000 tons produced and 381,200 tons exported between November 2025 and August 2026.
- The Spanish sector's mobilization could have significant implications for Tunisia's economy, which relies heavily on olive oil exports.
