Tunisia’s fisheries trade balance recorded a sharp 142 percent decline by the end of November 2025, falling to 225 million dinars from 361.1 million dinars in the same period in 2024, according to data released by the National Observatory of Agriculture (ONAGRI).
The decline reflects a combination of weaker exports and rising imports, underscoring a tightening external position for the country’s fisheries sector. Despite rising export prices, the overall performance of fisheries trade was constrained by lower shipment volumes and surging import demand.
Fisheries exports totaled 30,500 tons, valued at 764 million dinars, marking an 8.1% drop in volume and a 1.9 percent decrease in value compared with the corresponding period in 2024. Export prices, however, rose 6.8 percent year-on-year, climbing to 25 dinars per kilogram from 23.4 dinars per kilogram at the end of November 2024.
The export portfolio remained dominated by fish, crustaceans, and canned or semi-preserved products, shipped to more than 40 international markets. Italy, Spain, and Libya were the top destinations, reflecting Tunisia’s longstanding commercial ties with Mediterranean markets.
On the import side, the value of fishery imports surged by 29% to 539 million dinars by end-November 2025, while volumes increased by 22 percent to 78,600 tons. Import prices also rose by 5.7 percent year-on-year to 6.85 dinars per kilogram. The majority of imported products were directed toward industrial processing, with the remainder serving domestic consumption and fattening operations.
“The combination of rising imports and softer export performance has significantly eroded the fisheries surplus despite favorable price trends,” ONAGRI analysts said, highlighting the challenges facing the sector in maintaining a positive trade balance.
The data suggest that structural pressures, including rising domestic demand for fishery products and increased reliance on imported inputs for processing, are contributing to the erosion of Tunisia’s fisheries surplus. Analysts note that, while export prices have strengthened, declining volumes and intensifying competition in global markets have constrained export revenue growth.
Tunisia’s fisheries sector plays a critical role in employment, food security, and export earnings, particularly for coastal communities. The recent decline in the trade surplus could have broader implications for the national economy, given the sector’s contribution to foreign exchange reserves and industrial activity.
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Efforts to bolster export performance will likely need to focus on value-added processing, diversification of export destinations, and strategies to improve catch volumes sustainably. Meanwhile, the rise in imports highlights the growing demand for raw materials and processed products to support domestic industries and local consumption.
Despite the setback, analysts stress that the sector continues to benefit from competitive prices in key markets and well-established trade networks, which could support a recovery in trade balance if export volumes rebound in the coming months. Policy measures targeting efficiency, supply chain management, and market diversification may also mitigate the impact of rising import dependency.
The November 2025 figures highlight the need for strategic interventions in Tunisia’s fisheries sector to ensure sustainable growth, maintain export competitiveness, and manage the rising cost of imports, all while supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities and industrial stakeholders.
As the country approaches the end of the fiscal year, the evolution of export volumes, import demand, and pricing trends will be closely monitored by policymakers and industry participants to assess the overall health and resilience of Tunisia’s fisheries trade.
