started · updated
Tunisia olive oil exports face value chain challenges
Tunisia is projected to become the world's second-largest olive oil producer, yet the country struggles to capture significant value from its industry. A large portion of production is exported in bulk to major markets including Spain, Italy, and the United States, where it is often bottled under foreign labels or blended with other oils.
Data indicates that for the 2025/2026 season, approximately 86% of Tunisian olive oil exports were sold in bulk. While the Office National de l'Huile (ONH) has seen an increase in packaged exports, the reliance on bulk sales often obscures the product's Tunisian origin and limits the economic benefits for local producers.
Despite these structural challenges, the olive oil sector remains a vital pillar of the Tunisian economy. In the first eight months of 2026, olive oil exports generated 3.76 billion Tunisian dinars, contributing to a rise in agri-food export revenues. The agri-food sector was the only segment to post a positive surplus, amounting to 983.1 million Tunisian dinars.
Entities
Fadhel Kaboub · Institut Tunisien des Statistiques · Kaia · Office National de l'Huile · Tunisia
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] 86% of Tunisian olive oil exports in the 2025/2026 season were sold in bulk. www.diningandcooking.com · espacemanager.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The three biggest markets for Tunisian bulk olive oil are Spain, Italy, and the US. www.diningandcooking.com · espacemanager.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tunisia is projected to be the world's second-largest olive oil producer. www.diningandcooking.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The agri-food sector achieved an export surplus of 983.1 million Tunisian dinars. www.tsa-algerie.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Tunisian olive oil exports generated 3.76 billion Tunisian dinars in the first eight months of 2026. www.tsa-algerie.com