Page 46 - AA 2026

Tunisia

Tunisia Fruit And Vegetable Market Size

& Share Analysis

The Tunisia Fruit and Vegetable
Market size was valued at USD 2.19
billion in 2025 and is estimated to
grow from USD 2.33 billion in 2026
to reach USD 3.13 billion by 2031, at
a CAGR of 6.10% during the forecast
period (2026-2031). This outlook
positions the Tunisia fruit and veg-
etable market as a resilient pillar of
national employment despite water
scarcity that has pushed annual re-
newable availability down to 357 cu- fixed logistics costs over more car- earning margins 30 to 40% above
bic meters per person. The efficient tons, improving margins for growers those of bulk exports. The scale-up
adoption of drip irrigation underpins and packers. Compliance with the increases aggregate export poten-
growth, as does the rollout of geo- European Union’s pest-free regula- tial to 25,000 tons by 2026, ensuring
thermal greenhouses in the southern tions also raises entry barriers for ri- buyers in Europe and North America
oases, and the expanding European val suppliers, securing market share of steadier Deglet Nour volumes.
Union demand for certified produce for Tunisian fruit and translating di- Linked certification programs have
is further fueling the growth of tech- rectly into higher foreign-exchange already increased organic acreage
nological adoption in the Tunisian earnings that stimulate reinvestment in Kebili and Tozeur to over 4,200
fruits and vegetables market. Tomato across the broader fruit and vegeta- hectares, expanding the pipeline of
canning, date processing, and citrus ble value chain. traceable supply. The financing tem-
packing collectively attract private Accelerated build-out of geother- plate is now spurring additional pro-
equity and multilateral financing that mal-heated greenhouse tomato ca- cessors to secure similar deals with
shore up the supply chain. Export pacity in Tunisia’s Southern Oases local banks, signaling wider capital
prospects also benefit from Tunisia’s Greenhouses heated by 60 to inflows that strengthen Tunisia’s en-
proximity to France and Libya, which 70 degrees Celsius aquifer water tire fruit and vegetable value chain.
shortens shipping times and limits stretch harvests into the November Government drip-irrigation sub-
cold-chain exposure. to March window when Rotterdam sidies for water efficiency
Rising Maltese-orange export prices peak. Heating costs are ap- Fifty percent capital grants cover
push to France from Tunisia proximately 70% lower than those of buried diffuser kits that reduce water
Tunisia’s targeted push to expand diesel tunnels, lifting margins for ex- use by up to 54% and increase yields
Maltese-orange shipments to France porters committed to off-season con- by as much as 50%. Farmers must
bolsters market growth by unlocking tracts. Yields reach 23,000 to 24,000 install flow meters and file monthly
a larger, higher-value export chan- kg per hectare, roughly 80% higher extraction reports, which improves
nel at the very start of the European than open-field plots. Scalability de- transparency and curbs illegal
citrus season. Government co-fi- pends on aquifer recharge rates and pumping. Tomato and pepper grow-
nancing of pre-cooling units reduces retailer willingness to pay a low-car- ers adopt the most efficient methods
field heat within six hours, extends bon premium. because they face the steepest water
shelf life, and enables exporters to International Finance Corpora- tariffs. Long-term success rests on
fill reefer containers quickly, which tion (IFC)-backed capacity growth strict enforcement as solar-powered
improves delivered-quality scores in date processing pumps spread nationwide.
and supports premium pricing that A EUR 10 million (USD 10.5 million) High post-harvest loss due to lim-
can be 15-20% above that of Valencia International Finance Corporation ited cold-chain nodes
oranges. By aiming to triple volumes loan has been injected into Tunisia’s Only 17 pre-cooling facilities cov-
beyond the 51,449 metric ton base- date-processing segment, doubling er the entire country, leaving inland
line recorded in the 2024/2025 sea- national concentrate capacity and growers without access to rapid tem-
son, the program materially enlarg- installing lines that convert lower- perature reduction. Tomatoes lose
es revenue potential and spreads grade fruit into juice and syrup, 10 to 15% of volume and stone fruits
44 Arab Agriculture 2026