Tunisia's trade deficit has worsened, reaching 20.997 billion dinars by the end of September 2026, compared to 16.727 billion dinars in the same period of 2025. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS), the deficit increased by 4.270 billion dinars in the first nine months of 2026. This deterioration is attributed to a faster rise in imports, which grew by 13.1% to 71.397 billion dinars, compared to an 8.6% increase in exports to 50.400 billion dinars.
The INS reported that the coverage rate of imports by exports decreased by 2.9 points, from 73.5% to 70.6%. The value of exports increased by approximately 3.980 billion dinars, while imports rose by 8.250 billion dinars. The energy sector is a significant contributor to the trade deficit, with a 32% increase in energy imports. Other categories, such as food products, raw materials, and semi-finished goods, also saw substantial increases.
The energy balance is a major weakness in Tunisia's external trade, with a deficit of 10.480 billion dinars by the end of September, representing nearly half of the total trade deficit. Excluding energy, the deficit stands at 10.517 billion dinars. Other sectors, such as raw materials and semi-finished goods, equipment goods, and consumer goods, also recorded significant deficits.
On the export side, the agro-food industry showed a 20.3% increase, driven by higher sales of olive oil. The mechanical and electrical industries also grew by 9.9%, while energy exports rose by 43.1%. However, some sectors experienced declines, including mining, phosphates, and their derivatives, which fell by 16.5%, and textiles, clothing, and leather, which decreased by 4.7%.
Despite the growth in certain export sectors, the overall trade deficit remains a concern. The agro-food sector is a positive contributor, generating a commercial surplus of approximately 919 million dinars. Nevertheless, the increase in exports is not sufficient to offset the rise in imports, leading to a widening trade deficit.
The Tunisian government's efforts to improve the trade balance face challenges, including a significant increase in energy imports and a decline in certain export sectors. The country's reliance on imported energy and raw materials exacerbates the trade deficit, highlighting the need for strategies to boost domestic production and reduce dependence on imports.
As of September, Tunisia's trade deficit continues to be a pressing issue, with the country's exports unable to keep pace with the growth in imports. The government and relevant authorities will need to address these challenges and implement measures to improve the trade balance and mitigate the effects of the deficit on the economy.
Key points
- Tunisia's trade deficit reached 20.997 billion dinars by the end of September 2026.
- The energy sector accounts for nearly half of the total trade deficit.
- The agro-food industry is a positive contributor, with a commercial surplus of approximately 919 million dinars.
