Tunisia Fruit And Vegetable Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Tunisia fruit and vegetable market size stands at USD 2.33 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 3.13 billion by 2030, reflecting a 5.2% CAGR. This outlook positions the Tunisia fruit and vegetable market as a resilient pillar of national employment despite water scarcity that has pushed annual renewable availability down to 357 cubic meters per person. The efficient adoption of drip irrigation underpins growth, as does the rollout of geothermal greenhouses in the southern oases, and the expanding European Union demand for certified produce is further fueling the growth of technological adoption in the Tunisian fruits and vegetables market. Tomato canning, date processing, and citrus packing collectively attract private equity and multilateral financing that shore up the supply chain. Export prospects also benefit from Tunisia’s proximity to France and Libya, which shortens shipping times and limits cold-chain exposure.
Key Report Takeaways
- By produce type, vegetables led with 65% Tunisia fruit and vegetable market share in 2024, while fruits are projected to expand at a 6% CAGR through 2030.
Note: Market size and forecast figures in this report are generated using Mordor Intelligence’s proprietary estimation framework, updated with the latest available data and insights as of January 2026.
Tunisia Fruit And Vegetable Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rising Maltese-orange export push to France from Tunisia | +0.8% | Cap Bon and Nabeul in Tunisia, French wholesale hubs | Medium term (2–4 years) |
| Accelerated build-out of geothermal-heated greenhouse tomato capacity in Tunisia’s Southern Oases | +0.9% | Tozeur, Kebili, Gabes, winter demand hubs in the European Union | Long term (≥4 years) |
| International Finance Corporation (IFC)-backed capacity growth in date processing | +0.7% | Kebili and Tozeur date belt, global importers | Medium term (2–4 years) |
| Government drip-irrigation subsidies for water efficiency | +0.6% | National with early gains in Cap Bon, Kairouan, and Sfax | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Duty-free European Union (EU) quota for early-season potatoes | +0.5% | Northern plains, buyers in France, Italy, Germany | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Private-equity funding into tomato processor SICAM (Industrial Food Canning Company) | +0.6% | Mejez-el-Bab and Cap Bon, European Union and Libya corridors | Medium term (2–4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Rising Maltese-orange export push to France from Tunisia
Tunisia’s targeted push to expand Maltese-orange shipments to France bolsters market growth by unlocking a larger, higher-value export channel at the very start of the European citrus season. Government co-financing of pre-cooling units reduces field heat within six hours, extends shelf life, and enables exporters to fill reefer containers quickly, which improves delivered-quality scores and supports premium pricing that can be 15-20% above that of Valencia oranges. By aiming to triple volumes beyond the 51,449 metric ton baseline recorded in the 2024/2025 season, the program materially enlarges revenue potential and spreads fixed logistics costs over more cartons, improving margins for growers and packers. Compliance with the European Union’s pest-free regulations also raises entry barriers for rival suppliers, securing market share for Tunisian fruit and translating directly into higher foreign-exchange earnings that stimulate reinvestment across the broader fruit and vegetable value chain [1]Source: European Union, “Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2072,” eur-lex.europa.eu .
Accelerated build-out of geothermal-heated greenhouse tomato capacity in Tunisia’s Southern Oases
Greenhouses heated by 60 to 70 degrees Celsius aquifer water stretch harvests into the November to March window when Rotterdam prices peak. Heating costs are approximately 70% lower than those of diesel tunnels, lifting margins for exporters committed to off-season contracts. Yields reach 23,000 to 24,000 kg per hectare, roughly 80% higher than open-field plots. Scalability depends on aquifer recharge rates and retailer willingness to pay a low-carbon premium.
International Finance Corporation (IFC)-backed capacity growth in date processing
A EUR 10 million (USD 10.5 million) International Finance Corporation loan has been injected into Tunisia’s date-processing segment, doubling national concentrate capacity and installing lines that convert lower-grade fruit into juice and syrup, earning margins 30 to 40% above those of bulk exports. The scale-up increases aggregate export potential to 25,000 tons by 2026, ensuring buyers in Europe and North America of steadier Deglet Nour volumes. Linked certification programs have already increased organic acreage in Kebili and Tozeur to over 4,200 hectares, expanding the pipeline of traceable supply. The financing template is now spurring additional processors to secure similar deals with local banks, signaling wider capital inflows that strengthen Tunisia’s entire fruit and vegetable value chain [2]Source: International Finance Corporation, “IFC provides USD 10 million in financing to Tunisian date exporter,” ifc.org .
Government drip-irrigation subsidies for water efficiency
Fifty percent capital grants cover buried diffuser kits that reduce water use by up to 54% and increase yields by as much as 50%. Farmers must install flow meters and file monthly extraction reports, which improves transparency and curbs illegal pumping. Tomato and pepper growers adopt the most efficient methods because they face the steepest water tariffs. Long-term success rests on strict enforcement as solar-powered pumps spread nationwide [3]Source: Agence Française de Développement, “Tunisia,” afd.fr.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| High post-harvest loss due to limited cold-chain nodes | -0.7% | National, acute in the southern oases and the central plains | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Recurrent drought and rising groundwater salinity | -1.2% | The whole country with severe stress in Kairouan, Sfax, Kebili, and Gabes | Long term (≥4 years) |
| Fragmented smallholder structure slows mechanization | -0.5% | Small plots dominate Cap Bon, Nabeul, Bizerte, and other regions | Medium term (2–4 years) |
| Periodic export bans to curb local food inflation | -0.4% | National policy affecting all export corridors | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
High post-harvest loss due to limited cold-chain nodes
Only 17 pre-cooling facilities cover the entire country, leaving inland growers without access to rapid temperature reduction. Tomatoes lose 10 to 15% of volume and stone fruits lose 8 to 12% before they reach ports. The World Bank has allocated USD 45 million to build hubs in Kairouan and Gabes, with completion slated for 2027. Until those hubs open, exports remain exposed to downgrades that depress farm-gate prices [4]Source: World Bank, “Tunisia Overview,” worldbank.org .
Recurrent drought and rising groundwater salinity
Dam reserves fell to 23% of capacity in 2024 while groundwater extraction rose to 119% of sustainable recharge. Salinity levels above 3,000 mg/L can reduce tomato yields by 30% and trigger blossom-end rot in peppers. Climate models project another 10–15% drop in rainfall by 2030, which will likely prompt growers to shift toward salt-tolerant crops. The widespread adoption of solar pumps enables unmetered withdrawals, erasing the water savings gained from drip irrigation [5]Source: Agence Française de Développement, “Tunisia,” afd.fr.
Geography Analysis
Cap Bon remained the largest consumer hub, accounting for the majority of Tunisia's fruit and vegetable consumption in 2024, a lead built on 144,264 hectares of irrigated land dedicated to tomatoes, citrus, and potatoes, situated close to the ports of Rades and La Goulette. Land fragmentation, with 75% of farms under 5 hectares, and coastal aquifer salinity exceeding 3,000 mg/L, is projected to slow expansion through 2030. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Southern Oases of Tozeur, Kebili, and Gabes held a minority share but are forecast to grow the fastest at a 6.5% CAGR, powered by geothermal greenhouses that cut winter heating costs by 70% and by an International Finance Corporation loan that doubled date-processing capacity. This growth faces headwinds from groundwater extraction, which exceeds recharge by 1, and from 2,358 solar pumps that enable unmetered withdrawals.
The Sahel region, encompassing Sousse, Monastir, and Mahdia, accounted for a significant share of 2024 consumption and is tracking a substantial expansion pace as growers utilize olive-oil pomace for organic fertilizer and diversify into pomegranates and stone fruits that thrive in calcareous soils. Cooperative investment in optical sorters and water-recycling lines cut early-season potato rejection rates from 18% to 9% and improved utilization of the 20,000 metric tons of duty-free European Union quota. The North-West Beja, Jendouba, and Kef held a prominent share and are growing at a significant rate, anchored by rain-fed rotations of cowpea and broad bean that rebuild soil nitrogen, yet suffer from shallow aquifers and recurrent drought. During the 2022 Ramadan export ban, North-West stocks of potatoes and onions were redirected to Tunis wholesale markets and helped curb vegetable inflation, underscoring the region’s buffer role.
Cap Bon processors aim to maintain their share through land consolidation pilots and mechanization, while state-funded pre-cooling units for Maltese oranges will support premium exports to France. Sahel cooperatives plan to scale up pomegranate acreage and exploit mid-season price gaps between Cap Bon and Southern Oases harvests, aided by new cold-storage hubs slated for Kairouan and Gabes under a World Bank loan that is set to conclude in 2027. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s USD 68 million hydraulic overhaul is set to widen controlled-environment acreage in the Southern Oases and anchor off-season tomato flows to European winter markets. Collectively, these regional initiatives will diversify export routes, ease domestic supply swings, and lift Tunisia's fruit and vegetable commodity earnings through 2030.
Competitive Landscape
The competitive field is fragmented, yet a few prominent processors set the tone through deep vertical integration. The leading tomato processor operates multiple aseptic lines, controls demonstration farms, and extends pre-season financing to hundreds of contract growers, which stabilizes the raw material flow and maintains consistent quality. The foremost date exporter has leveraged multilateral loans to double throughput and add concentrate equipment that turns lower-grade fruit into high-margin sweeteners. Both front-runners have earned international food-safety certifications that open doors to supermarket chains in Europe and North America, allowing them to secure reliable off-take agreements even during volatile seasons.
Several significant mid-tier firms specialize in packing citrus, peppers, and potatoes, investing in pre-cooling units and optical sorters to reduce rejection rates under European phytosanitary regulations. These operators pool capital through cooperatives or private-equity partnerships to share cold-storage infrastructure and negotiate better freight rates. Some diversify into geothermal greenhouse projects in the southern oases, targeting the November-to-March window when European wholesale prices spike. Others pursue organic certification across thousands of hectares, aiming to capture price premiums in health food channels and hedge against commodity price swings.
Future expansion will rely on technology adoption, traceability, and resource stewardship rather than land consolidation. Processors are piloting proprietary hybrid varieties, real-time soil-moisture sensors, and blockchain-enabled tracking to meet retailer transparency demands. Cold-storage hubs, financed by international lenders, are slated to come online in 2027, which will lengthen the shelf life and enable sea freight to distant markets. At the same time, looming groundwater caps may favor operators who adopt drip irrigation and renewable-energy pumps, reshaping competitive advantages over the remainder of the decade.
Recent Industry Developments
- December 2025: Tunisia and Indonesia have finalized discussions on a preferential trade agreement, scheduled to be signed by January 2026. This agreement aims to reduce tariffs on dates, olive oil, and seafood, while enhancing market access for Tunisian agri-food exports to Southeast Asia.
- December 2025: Tunisia’s citrus industry announced plans to ship 15,000 metric Tons of Maltese oranges to France from Tunisia in the 2025/2026 season, a volume that exceeds the prior campaign by more than 160% and will be supported by a ministry-led promotional drive across European trade fairs.
Tunisia Fruit And Vegetable Market Report Scope
Fruits and vegetables are important supplements to the human diet as they provide the essential nutrients for maintaining health. The Tunisian fruit and vegetable market is segmented by Type (Fruit and Vegetables). The report includes Production Analysis (volume), Consumption Analysis (value and volume), Import Analysis (value and volume), Export Analysis (value and volume), and Price Trend Analysis. The report offers market size and forecast in terms of value in USD and volume in metric tons for the above-mentioned segments.
Vegetables
| Tomatoes | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | |||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | |||
| Trade Analysis (Value and Volume) | Import Market Analysis | Import Value and Volume | |
| Key Supplying Markets | |||
| Export Market Analysis | Export Value and Volume | ||
| Key Destinations Markets | |||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | |||
| Seasonality Analysis | |||
| Potatoes | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | |||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | |||
| Import Value and Volume | |||
| Key Supplying Markets | |||
| Export Value and Volume | |||
| Key Destinations Markets | |||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | |||
| Seasonality Analysis | |||
| Leafy and Brassica Vegetables | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | |||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | |||
| Import Value and Volume | |||
| Key Supplying Markets | |||
| Export Value and Volume | |||
| Key Destinations Markets | |||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | |||
| Seasonality Analysis | |||
| Legumes | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | |||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | |||
| Import Value and Volume | |||
| Key Supplying Markets | |||
| Export Value and Volume | |||
| Key Destinations Markets | |||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | |||
| Seasonality Analysis | |||
Fruits
| Citrus | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | |||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | |||
| Import Value and Volume | |||
| Key Supplying Markets | |||
| Export Value and Volume | |||
| Key Destinations Markets | |||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | |||
| Seasonality Analysis | |||
| Grapes | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | |||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | |||
| Import Value and Volume | |||
| Key Supplying Markets | |||
| Export Value and Volume | |||
| Key Destinations Markets | |||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | |||
| Seasonality Analysis | |||
| Stone Fruits | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | |||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | |||
| Import Value and Volume | |||
| Key Supplying Markets | |||
| Export Value and Volume | |||
| Key Destinations Markets | |||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | |||
| Seasonality Analysis | |||
| Pomegranate | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | |||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | |||
| Import Value and Volume | |||
| Key Supplying Markets | |||
| Export Value and Volume | |||
| Key Destinations Markets | |||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | |||
| Seasonality Analysis | |||
| Dates | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | |||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | |||
| Import Value and Volume | |||
| Key Supplying Markets | |||
| Export Value and Volume | |||
| Key Destinations Markets | |||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | |||
| Seasonality Analysis |
| Vegetables | Tomatoes | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | ||||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | ||||
| Trade Analysis (Value and Volume) | Import Market Analysis | Import Value and Volume | ||
| Key Supplying Markets | ||||
| Export Market Analysis | Export Value and Volume | |||
| Key Destinations Markets | ||||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | ||||
| Seasonality Analysis | ||||
| Potatoes | Production Analysis | Production Volume | ||
| Area Harvested and Yield | ||||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | ||||
| Import Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Supplying Markets | ||||
| Export Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Destinations Markets | ||||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | ||||
| Seasonality Analysis | ||||
| Leafy and Brassica Vegetables | Production Analysis | Production Volume | ||
| Area Harvested and Yield | ||||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | ||||
| Import Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Supplying Markets | ||||
| Export Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Destinations Markets | ||||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | ||||
| Seasonality Analysis | ||||
| Legumes | Production Analysis | Production Volume | ||
| Area Harvested and Yield | ||||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | ||||
| Import Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Supplying Markets | ||||
| Export Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Destinations Markets | ||||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | ||||
| Seasonality Analysis | ||||
| Fruits | Citrus | Production Analysis | Production Volume | |
| Area Harvested and Yield | ||||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | ||||
| Import Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Supplying Markets | ||||
| Export Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Destinations Markets | ||||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | ||||
| Seasonality Analysis | ||||
| Grapes | Production Analysis | Production Volume | ||
| Area Harvested and Yield | ||||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | ||||
| Import Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Supplying Markets | ||||
| Export Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Destinations Markets | ||||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | ||||
| Seasonality Analysis | ||||
| Stone Fruits | Production Analysis | Production Volume | ||
| Area Harvested and Yield | ||||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | ||||
| Import Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Supplying Markets | ||||
| Export Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Destinations Markets | ||||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | ||||
| Seasonality Analysis | ||||
| Pomegranate | Production Analysis | Production Volume | ||
| Area Harvested and Yield | ||||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | ||||
| Import Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Supplying Markets | ||||
| Export Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Destinations Markets | ||||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | ||||
| Seasonality Analysis | ||||
| Dates | Production Analysis | Production Volume | ||
| Area Harvested and Yield | ||||
| Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume) | ||||
| Import Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Supplying Markets | ||||
| Export Value and Volume | ||||
| Key Destinations Markets | ||||
| Wholesale Price Trend Analysis and Forecast | ||||
| Seasonality Analysis | ||||
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Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current size of the Tunisia fruit and vegetable commodity market in 2025?
The market is valued at USD 2.33 billion in 2025 and is forecast to grow to USD 3.13 billion by 2031.
Which crop contributes the most to processing revenue?
Tomato processing leads, accounting for 24% of production and supplying 26 canneries that produce double-concentrated paste.
How significant are date exports for Tunisia?
Dates generated TND 581.8 million (USD 194 million) in export receipts during the first five months of the 2024/2025 campaign and hold 35% of the global Deglet Nour market share.
Why is Libya important for exporters?
Libya purchases 51% of Tunisian fruit and vegetable shipments, providing a nearby outlet that requires minimal cold-chain infrastructure.
How is Tunisia improving early-season potato exports to Europe?
Three centralized packing stations with optical sorters and water recycling now standardize quality for the 20,000 metric tons duty-free European Union quota.
