Tunisian Trade Deficit Surges as Exports to Morocco Decline

The National Institute of Statistics in Tunisia has reported a significant 23.1% decline in the country's exports to Morocco during the first seven months of 2026. This downturn coincides with a substantial increase in Tunisia's trade deficit, which has risen to approximately 14.96 billion dinars, equivalent to over 5 billion US dollars. According to data released by the institute, as conveyed by the Tunis Afrique Presse agency, the trade deficit reached 14,957.6 million dinars by the end of July 2026, compared to 11,904.2 million dinars during the same period in 2025, indicating an annual deficit increase of over 3 billion dinars.

A significant portion of this deficit is attributed to the energy sector, with the energy material groups recording a deficit of about 7,946.1 million dinars, up from 6,037.2 million dinars during the first seven months of the previous year. The deficit in primary and semi-finished materials, equipment, and consumer goods has further exacerbated the trade imbalance, with respective figures of 3,770.7 million dinars, 2,629.6 million dinars, and 1,617.8 million dinars.

Growth in Overall Exports Despite Challenges

On a more positive note, Tunisia's overall export value has increased by 9.9% during the first seven months of 2026, reaching 40,638.4 million dinars, compared to 36,973.4 million dinars in the same timeframe last year, as reported by the official Tunisian news agency. Several sectors have experienced growth in exports, particularly mechanical and electrical industries, which saw an increase of 10.5%, and agricultural and food products, which surged by 22.9%, driven by a rise in olive oil sales.

The value of olive oil exports alone reached 3,594.6 million dinars, a significant rise from 2,506.1 million dinars during the same period last year. Additionally, energy sector exports soared by 53.3%, attributed to increased sales of refined products, which were valued at 989 million dinars compared to 381.3 million dinars in the first seven months of 2025. However, phosphate and its derivatives experienced an 11.9% drop in exports, while textiles, clothing, and leather saw a decline of 3.6%.

The European Union remains the primary destination for Tunisian exports, accounting for 70.4% of the total exports during this period, with a value of 28,629.5 million dinars compared to 26,120.1 million dinars the previous year. In the Arab context, Tunisia recorded an impressive 85.4% rise in exports to Egypt, while exports to Libya remained nearly stable with a slight increase of 0.1%. Conversely, Tunisian exports to Morocco fell by 23.1%, and there was a 12% decline in exports to Algeria, although the data did not specify the export values to Morocco in either dinars or dollars, only indicating the percentage decrease.

As reported by assahifa.com.