Tunisia: Trade deficit widens to 7.5 billion dinars by end of April 2026

Tunisia's external trade balance continues to present a challenging picture, with the trade deficit widening to 7.5288 billion dinars by the end of April 2026. This figure, a slight increase from the 7.293 billion dinars recorded during the same period last year, underscores persistent economic pressures.

The primary drivers of this deficit remain consistent: significant import costs for energy products, raw materials, semi-finished goods, capital goods, and consumer items. While the food sector, particularly olive oil exports, shows a positive contribution with a surplus of 963.5 million dinars, it is not enough to offset the broader import costs.

On a more positive note, Tunisia has seen an improvement in its export coverage rate, reaching 75.1% compared to 74% in the prior year. Overall exports grew by 9.5%, driven by strong performance in the mechanical, electrical, and agri-food sectors. The surge in olive oil exports, in particular, highlights a key strength in our agricultural output.

However, the deficit in the energy balance remains a significant concern, increasing to -4.1924 billion dinars. While the deficit outside of energy has reduced, the reliance on imported energy continues to weigh heavily on our trade figures. This situation calls for continued efforts to boost export competitiveness and explore avenues for greater energy self-sufficiency.