Tunisian Olive Oil Exports Surge 55% in First Nine Months of 2025/2026 Campaign
Tunisia’s olive oil exports have accelerated significantly over the first nine months of the 2025/2026 campaign, reaching 368,000 metric tons compared to 236,900 tons during the same period last year—a remarkable 55.3% year-on-year increase. Export revenues climbed to 4.6 billion Tunisian dinars (TND), up 44.4% from the previous campaign.
The Bulk vs. Packaged Bottleneck
Despite this impressive growth, a critical structural challenge remains for the sector: Tunisia continues to export the vast majority of its olive oil in bulk. Packaged (bottled) olive oil accounts for just 14% of export volumes, while bulk shipments dominate at 86%. Yet, packaged oil already generates 18.6% of total export revenues, underscoring the substantial untapped value potential in scaling up bottling, branding, and direct-to-consumer operations.
Price Trends & Revenue Drivers
The volume surge has not been matched by a proportional rise in export prices. In July 2026, the average export price stood at 13.16 TND/kg, a modest 1.4% increase from 12.97 TND/kg a year earlier. Consequently, the revenue growth is primarily driven by higher export volumes rather than price appreciation, highlighting the sector's continued reliance on commodity-style trading.
Global Market Reach & Key Destinations
European markets remain the primary destination, absorbing 57.1% of total exports, with Spain and Italy leading procurement. North America follows as a vital growth corridor, representing 24% of shipments, largely driven by steady demand from the United States and Canada. Overall, Tunisian olive oil is now commercialized in more than 70 countries worldwide, reinforcing the nation's status as a top-tier global supplier.
The Organic Segment: High Value, Low Packaging
The organic segment continues to strengthen its position within the industry, with 51,200 tons exported, generating approximately 673.4 million TND. However, packaging remains critically underdeveloped here as well: only 6.2% of organic volumes are shipped in packaged form. This represents a significant missed opportunity, given that packaged organic olive oil commands an average price of 16.56 TND/kg, compared to just 12.93 TND/kg for bulk organic oil.
Strategic Outlook
To maximize profitability and capture higher margins, Tunisia’s olive oil sector must prioritize value-added packaging, premium branding, and market diversification. Shifting from bulk commodity exports to branded, packaged products—particularly in the organic segment—could significantly boost revenue per kilogram and strengthen Tunisia’s competitive edge in the global olive oil trade.
