Libya is the biggest importer of Tunisian fruit at 43,600 tonnes (TND 92 million) in 2022, up from 27,000 tonnes (TND 45.6 million) on the previous year.
The figures come as Tunisia saw the value of all its fruit exports increase by TND 51.9 million between 2021 and 2022 to TND 135.6 million, according to data provided by the Inter-branch Group for Fruits show – reported by the Tunisian African news agency TAP yesterday.
Quantities exported until late September rose from 34,500 tonnes in 2021 to 53.200 this year.
Italy is reported as the second largest importer with 6,000 tonnes (TND 13.8 million).
Meanwhile, a drop in the value of exports to traditional markets was reported. This included
the UAE (down to TND 9.8 million for 793 tonnes), Kuwait (TND 5 million for 399 tonnes) and Qatar (TND 4 million).
This fall is driven by higher air transports costs over the past two years, the report stated. Tunisian fruit exports to Libya are overwhelmingly transported the short distance across the border overland.
Tunisia exports fruits to 21 countries across the globe. Ivory Coast, Kenya, Norway, Lithuania, England and Germany are importers of small quantities.
Watermelons are the most exported fruit in 2022 (TND 23.3 million for 19,300 tonnes) in addition to peaches (TND 34.7 million for 11,400 tonnes) and apricots (TND 16.6 million for 5,800 tonnes).
