While the global olive oil sector is undergoing a phase of profound transformation, data from the Tunisian National Agricultural Observatory (Onagri) for the first three months of the 2025/2026 campaign outline a scenario of strong expansion. With a 55,7% leap in export volumes, Tunisia consolidates its role as a strategic "reservoir" for Europe, with Italy is the main importer after Spain.
Growth numbers: volumes and values
Tunisian shipments have reached the 130.900 tons, clearly exceeding the 84.100 compared to the same period of the previous year. Revenues also grew, reaching a share 1,621 billion dinars (approximately 491 million euros), marking a +34,8%.
However, a discrepancy can be noted between the growth in volumes and that in value: the cause is to be found in a slight decline in the average price, which fell by 3,2% (going from €3,73/kg to €3,61/kg).
Italy's key role: between imports and blending
In the international panorama, Italy is the second largest buyer of Tunisian oil in the world, absorbing the 18,9% of total exports, equal to 24.740 tonsThis data confirms a consolidated trend for the Italian olive oil sector:
- the weight of the bulk: 89,5% of Tunisian oil exported is extra virgin, but almost all of the product still travels loose (packaged oil only accounts for 11,6%);
- industrial strategy: For the Italian industry, Tunisian oil represents a fundamental resource for ensuring continuity of supplies and for creating blends, especially in years when domestic production struggles to meet national and international demand;
- competition and complementarity: Italy is halfway between Spain (leader with 30,9%) and the United States (16,8%) in terms of purchases, acting as a logistical and commercial bridge to the rest of the continent.
Quality and challenges for the future
A significant fact concerns quality: almost 90% of the product is EVOO (extra virgin olive oil). However, Tunisia still struggles to impose its brand, with only 15,7% of revenue comes from packaged products.
For Italy, the widespread availability of Tunisian oil at slightly lower prices represents an opportunity to control consumer prices, but it also poses a challenge to local producers, who are called upon to differentiate their 100% Made in Italy products through certification and high-end products to avoid succumbing to the price pressure of North African bulk products.
