Page 48 - AA 2022 YEAR BOOK

Tunisia

USD 145 per tonne of barley to TDD 620/ The food trade balance recorded a
USD 225 per tonne of durum wheat, deficit of USD 290.9 million (TDD 806.9
with minimal year on year adjustments), million) during the first six months of
subsidized certified seeds, an irrigation 2021 compared to a deficit of USD 49.4
water subsidy as well as the provision million (TDD 137.1 million) during the
of technical assistance to farmers same period of the previous year. In
producing wheat on irrigated areas. value terms, food exports decreased by
10.2 percent while imports increased
Cereal imports to remain by 13.8 percent. The deficit recorded
stable in 2021/22 mainly results from the increase in the
rate of cereal imports (+20.9 percent)
marketing year and the drop in olive oil exports ( 26.9
The country relies heavily on grain percent).
imports, mainly common wheat, even
in years with good production. Cereal Sluggish economic growth and
import requirements in the 2021/22 increases in food price inf ation
marketing year (July/June) are forecast
at an average level of about 3.7 million Even before the onset of the COVID
The country aims to reach a domestic tonnes, similar to the previous marketing 19 pandemic, the country experienced
production of 2.9 million tonnes of year. More than half of the imported sluggish economic growth, high
cereals per year in order to achieve cereals is wheat, sourced mostly from unemployment levels and deteriorating
self sufficiency. Policy instruments used Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the public services. In 2020, the economy
by the government include guaranteed European Union. contracted about 8.6 percent, mostly
farmgate prices (ranging from TDD 400/ due to the collapse of the tourism sector
resulting from travel restrictions. A
Production (tonnes) of some agricultural commodities in Tunisia Gross domestic product (GDP) growth
(2019-2020) of 2 percent is foreseen in 2021, but
high unemployment levels still prevail.
Item Value Flag Value Flag
Unemployment increased from 15
Almonds, with shell 75000 62000 percent prior to the COVID 19 pandemic
Apples 116000 153000
Apricots 38000 38000 to 17.8 percent by the end of the first
Artichokes 21000 31000 quarter of 2021, severely affecting young
Barley 912000 466000 people (aged 1524) as over 40 percent of
Broad beans, horse beans, dry 88000 58038 them are currently jobless.
Carrots and turnips 216423 Im 217368 Im In spite of the country’s high
Caulif owers and broccoli 10332 Im 10084 Im import dependency rate, changes in
Cherries 4472 Im 4433 Im international prices of wheat products
Chick peas 10470 8045 and vegetable oil are not fully transmitted
Chillies and peppers, dry 19994 Im 20087 Im into domestic prices as the government’s
Chillies and peppers, green 435000 420000 universal food subsidy programme
Cucumbers and gherkins 69240 Im 69277 Im keeps them stable. There have been
Dates 289000 332000 discussions about reforming the
Eggplants (aubergines) 691 Im 694 Im subsidy system, which puts a significant
Figs 27000 19600 burden on the national budget, but the
Garlic 25101 Im 25223 Im implementation has been postponed so
Grapefruit (inc. pomelos) 100050 Im 100314 Im far. The food and beverage Consumer
Grapes 148000 150000 Price Index in June 2021 increased by 7.2
Lemons and limes 54300 55000
Lentils 1132 Im 1140 Im percent on a year on year basis, up from
Lettuce and chicory 75451 Im 75975 Im 45 percent between November 2020 and
Linseed 3139 Im 3133 Im March 2021. The food price inflation in
Melons, other (inc.cantaloupes) 104125 Im 104432 Im June 2021 was mainly driven by the high
Olives 1184961 Im 2000000 prices of edible oils (+16.5 percent year
Onions, dry 189880 Im 192129 Im on year), vegetables (+13 percent) and
Onions, shallots, green 286141 Im 292698 Im animal proteins (+68 percent).
Oranges 440000 366000
Pistachios 3077 Im 3116 Im
Plums and sloes 19000 20000
Potatoes 435000 450000
Rapeseed 3680 Im 3692 Im
Sorghum 1208 Im 1197 Im
Strawberries 9871 Im 9902 Im
Sugar beet 87350 F 86100 Im
Sunf ower seed 6092 Im 5800 Im
Tomatoes 1534000 1423000
Watermelons 491000 450000
Wheat 1455000 1042000
Im: FAO data based on imputation methodology | Source: FAO Statistical Division 2021
46 Arab Agriculture 2022