Tunisia's Trade Deficit Reaches 16.7 Billion Dinars
At the end of September 2025, Tunisia's trade deficit reached 16.7 billion dinars, compared to 13.5 billion a year earlier. This deterioration is explained by a decline in the rate of coverage of imports by exports, from 77.5% to 73.5%. In other words, Tunisia imports much more than it exports, which exacerbates the imbalance in its trade balance.
The Energy Sector: A Major Contributor to the Deficit
One of the main factors behind this deficit is the energy sector. The energy deficit alone represents 8.1 billion dinars, nearly half of the total. This situation is the result of several factors:
- A decline in national production
- A slowdown in the granting of exploration permits
- Insufficient governance of the sector
- A lack of investor confidence As a result, the country is forced to import more energy to meet its needs.
Other Deficits: Equipment and Raw Materials
In addition to the energy sector, Tunisia also records deficits in the importation of:
- Equipment goods (2.7 billion dinars)
- Raw materials or semi-manufactured goods (4.99 billion dinars) However, these deficits are considered "productive" because they reflect a dynamic of investment and industrial production, necessary for economic development.
A Surprising Fact: Food and Consumer Products Register a Surplus
Interestingly, despite the overall deficit, food and consumer products register a surplus of 620 million dinars. This shows that the problem does not come from excessive consumption, but rather from a structural imbalance linked to energy dependence.
Conclusion: Understanding the Dynamics of the Trade Deficit
In summary, the structure of Tunisia's trade deficit reveals a major energy problem, which hinders the stability of the external balance. However, there are encouraging signs:
- Performance of industrial exports
- Dynamism of tourism
- External financial flows
- Gradual reorientation of trade exchanges Understanding these dynamics is essential for envisioning sustainable solutions.
