Tunisia Leads Europe in Professional Workwear Exports

Tunisia has secured the top position among European suppliers of professional workwear, commanding an estimated 17% market share. According to a statement from the Ministry of Industry, the country also ranks fourth in the denim segment with an 8% share, reaffirming the critical role of the textile and apparel sector in national exports.

Strong Export Performance in 2025

In 2025, sector exports reached nearly 9 billion Tunisian dinars, achieving an import coverage ratio of 127%. The Ministry notes that textiles account for approximately 16% of manufacturing industry exports, trailing only the mechanical and electrical industries. The sector comprises over 1,400 industrial enterprises and provides employment for nearly 146,000 workers.

Digital Innovation to Maintain Competitiveness

To sustain its position in international markets, Tunisian companies must meet stringent requirements from global buyers regarding quality, cost efficiency, and delivery timelines. Consequently, modernizing production methods has become a key priority for preserving competitiveness.

In this context, the Tunisian Technical Center for Textiles (Cettex) inaugurated a digital pilot production unit in Monastir on October 21. This facility is based on JUKI DX Pilot Line technologies from Japan.

A Tunisian-Japanese Partnership

Developed with the support of:

• The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
• The Japan Productivity Center
• Cettex

This Tunisian-Japanese project aims to enhance production and quality monitoring while supporting companies—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—in adopting digital solutions.

Strategic Objective

Through this initiative, the goal is to boost industrial productivity and strengthen the presence of Tunisian textiles in the European market.