Tunisia Agriculture Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

Agriculture In Tunisia Market Trends and Insights

Government Support and Subsidy Programmes

The 2025 Finance Law reserved 10 million dinars for small cattle breeders, of which 5 million dinars fund direct subsidies and breeding premiums, complemented by tax exemptions on imported heifers until December 2028. A new social protection fund formalizes agricultural labor, boosting productivity and safety nets. Digital platforms like “Engrais” streamline fertilizer allocation, reducing leakage and lifting the Agriculture in Tunisia market.

Growing Domestic Demand for Cereals and Dairy

Durum wheat now represents 20% of national wheat output on 48,700 hectares of irrigated land, reflecting a quality shift in consumer preferences. Annual wheat imports costing USD 885 million underscore the urgency of closing yield gaps through mechanization and improved seed varieties. Urban income growth boosts processed dairy consumption, while an import-substitution heifer program addresses supply constraints and uplifts the Agriculture in Tunisia market.

Rising Import Demand for Tunisian Olive Oil

Olive oil exports earned USD 1.159 billion in the first seven months of the 2023/24 crop year, 89% higher year on year, mainly to Spain^{[1]Source: Olive Oil Times, “Tunisian Olive Oil Exports Surge in 2024,” oliveoiltimes.com}. Although Tunisia enjoys duty-free access for only 56,700 metric tons under EU quotas, organic olive oil shipments exceeding 40,000 metric tons show rising value capture. Date exports worth USD 311 million in 2023 confirm diversified Mediterranean produce competitiveness.

Expansion of Greenhouse Horticulture Footprint

Tomato processors handled 980,000 metric tons across 23 factories in 2024, allocating 94% for paste. Research confirms that photovoltaic-powered ventilation meets optimal tomato growth conditions while cutting energy costs. Buried diffuser irrigation lifted yields by 23% versus surface drip while lowering salinity loads^{[2]Source: MDPI, “Photovoltaic Solutions for Mediterranean Greenhouses,” mdpi.com}. Geothermal heating in Kebili supports year-round horticulture on 16,000 hectares.

Chronic Water Scarcity and Inefficient Irrigation Networks

Only 8% of cultivable land is irrigated despite agriculture consuming 77% of available water. Over 40% of irrigation draws on stressed aquifers, causing quality decline^{[3]Source: International Water Association, “Aquifer Stress in North Africa,” iwa-network.org}. Dam reserves have slipped since 2017, prompting irrigation caps and shrinking cereal output by 61% in 2023. High distribution losses require capital-heavy modernization that smallholders struggle to finance, restraining the Agriculture in Tunisia market.

Soil Salinity and Land Degradation in Coastal Regions

Intensive greenhouse operations amplify groundwater salinity, with accumulating trace metals reducing water suitability. More than 1 hectare of land is abandoned each year in southern Tunisia due to salinity-linked degradation. Halophyte intercropping and salt-tolerant varieties offer solutions but demand technical know-how and upfront investment.

Segment Analysis

By Commodity Type: Cereals Lead While Horticulture Accelerates

Cereals and grains accounted for a 31.20% Agriculture in Tunisia market share in 2024 as national food security strategies prioritized wheat self-sufficiency. Durum wheat yields averaged 3.9 metric tons per hectare against a 6.7 metric tons target. The Agriculture market size for cereals in Tunisia is projected to expand further as salt-tolerant barley varieties and deficit irrigation stabilize dryland output. Despite a 2024 recovery, annual wheat imports of 3.5 million metric tons continue to strain the trade balance and emphasize mechanization shortfalls. 

Fruits and vegetables represent the fastest-growing segment, posting a 5.20% CAGR through 2030. Tomato paste exports gain from stable processor demand, while olive orchards cover 1.68 million hectares and are on track to deliver 340,000 metric tons in the 2024/25 season. Cash crops led by dates achieved 369,000 metric tons and USD 311 million in export receipts. Pulses and oilseeds remain import-dependent, creating prospects for agronomic upgrades and input service businesses within the Agriculture industry in Tunisia.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

Agriculture in the Tunisia market activity illustrates a pronounced north-south divide. Northern governorates attracted 7,680 MTND in foreign direct investment against only 1,403 MTND in six central-southern governorates, mirroring infrastructure disparities. Coastal regions dominate greenhouse horticulture and olive oil processing thanks to export-linked ports. Durum wheat productivity peaks in Jendouba yet trails in Kairouan, revealing efficiency gaps the Agriculture in Tunisia market must address.

Central Tunisia faces volatile rainfall and limited irrigation networks, hampering scaling efforts despite policy incentives. Oasis systems in Kebili leverage geothermal water for 16,000 hectares of date palms, showcasing adaptive resource use. Southern areas contend with high soil salinity, though research on halophytes promises niche expansion. National port upgrades forecast GDP gains of 4-5%, promising lower logistics costs for agricultural exporters.

Regional specialization will intensify as climate pressure nudges growers toward drought-resistant varieties and water-saving irrigation. Balanced development programs aim to steer finance toward interior governorates, unlocking opportunities across the Agriculture in Tunisia market.