Tunisia’s Olive Oil Exports Surge, but Bulk Sales Still Dominate
Tunisian olive oil continues to gain significant ground in international markets. According to data from the National Agriculture Observatory (ONAGRI), reported by the Tunisian Press Agency (TAP), Tunisia exported 381,200 tons of olive oil during the first ten months of the 2025/2026 campaign (November 2025 to August 2026), generating revenues of 4.78 billion dinars.
Compared to the same period in the previous campaign, export volumes increased by 50.8%, while revenues rose by 41.2%.
Bulk Sales Remain the Norm
Despite this growth, a well-known reality of the sector persists: the majority of Tunisia’s olive oil sold abroad is still shipped in bulk. Of the 381,200 tons exported, only 55,400 tons were packaged, accounting for just 14.5% of the total volume. Consequently, bulk oil represents 85.5% of all exports.
While packaged oil exports have grown by 48.7% year-on-year, this progress has not yet translated into a proportional share of revenue. Packaged oil accounts for only 19.3% of total export earnings, meaning the bulk of the value is still derived from bulk shipments.
In terms of product type, extra virgin olive oil dominates Tunisian exports, representing 83.5% of the total volume shipped during this period.
Markets Concentrated in Europe and North America
Tunisian olive oil continues to expand its international footprint, reaching more than 82 countries by the end of August 2026.
- European Union: Remains the primary market by a wide margin, absorbing 56.6% of total volumes. Spain leads this region with 31.9%, followed by Italy at 19.8%.
- North America: Constitutes the second-largest destination, accounting for 24.4% of exports. The United States alone takes 19.3% of volumes, while Canada represents 5.1%.
- Asia: Accounts for 11.5% of exports, driven largely by Saudi Arabia (4.9%) and Jordan (3.0%).
- Africa: Remains a more limited market, representing 3.7% of volumes, with Egypt accounting for 3.1%.
Favorable Price Trends in August 2026
The pricing landscape showed favorable developments in August 2026. The average export price reached 13.31 dinars per kilogram, up from 12.42 dinars a year earlier, marking a 7.1% increase. Depending on the category, prices ranged between 8.41 and 17.12 dinars per kilogram.
Organic Olive Oil: A High-Value Niche
Organic olive oil also plays a notable role in this export dynamic. During the first ten months of the campaign, organic exports reached 53,000 tons, valued at approximately 699.7 million dinars.
Similar to the conventional sector, packaging remains a minority in the organic segment, with only 6.3% of exported organic volumes being packaged.
However, organic olive oil commands premium prices:
- Average price: 13.20 dinars/kg
- Bulk organic oil: 12.96 dinars/kg
- Packaged organic oil: 16.74 dinars/kg
Italy is the top market for Tunisian organic olive oil, absorbing 39% of exports. It is followed by Spain (26%), the United States (23%), and France (8%).
Conclusion
These figures highlight a clear increase in export volumes but also underscore the continued dominance of bulk sales in Tunisia’s export model. While packaged oil is gaining traction, it does not yet represent the majority of the value generated by overseas sales.
