Increase in Trade Imports from Turkey to Tunisia by 15.4% in the First Half of the Year
In the first half of 2025, Tunisia's imports from Turkey saw a significant rise of 15.4%, according to a report by the Anadolu Agency (AA). This increase was primarily due to high import rates for capital goods, raw materials, and consumer goods.
During the same period, Tunisia's total imports amounted to 41.67 billion Tunisian dinars ($14.22 billion), while exports decreased slightly by 0.6%. This shift has contributed to an expansion of Tunisia's overall trade deficit, which reached approximately $3.38 billion.
Excluding energy, the non-energy foreign trade deficit for Tunisia also reached $1.6 billion in the first half of 2025. Imports from other non-EU countries, such as China, also rose sharply (+37.7%), while imports from Russia and India decreased.
Turkey's position as a major supplier outside the European Union for Tunisia played a key role in this increase. The growing demand in Tunisia for Turkish capital goods, raw materials, and consumer products further fuelled this trend.
The gradual recovery and growth in Tunisia’s economy in 2025, supported by improved rainfall, tourism, and agriculture, have also contributed to the rise in import demand. However, the growing trade deficit puts pressure on Tunisia's current account deficit and may challenge economic stability despite positive growth outlooks and inflation easing in 2025.
It's worth noting that the report by the Anadolu Agency (AA) did not specify the specific goods that contributed significantly to the increase in imports from China or Turkey. Furthermore, the report did not provide details about the imports from other countries outside the European Union during the same period. Additionally, the report did not mention any impact of the changes in imports from China, Turkey, Russia, or India on the Tunisian economy, nor did it provide any forecasts or predictions about future import trends.
References: 1. Anadolu Agency (AA), Report on Tunisia's Trade in the First Half of 2025, Saturday, [Link to the report] 2. National Institute of Statistics, Figures for Tunisia's Imports, Saturday, [Link to the report] 3. [Source 3], [Link to the source] 4. [Source 4], [Link to the source] 5. [Source 5], [Link to the source]
Tunisia's imports from Europe, specifically Turkey, have also seen growth, as the demand for Turkish capital goods, raw materials, and consumer products in Tunisia continues to increase. The expansion of Tunisia's overall trade deficit, which includes imports from non-EU countries like China, places pressure on the country's current account deficit, potentially challenging economic stability despite positive growth projections.
