Tunisia Grain Market Analysis
The Tunisia Grain Market size is estimated at USD 1.24 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 1.48 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
- Tunisia's climate and geography provide ideal conditions for grain cultivation, making it a crucial component of the country's food security and dietary habits. The nation produces a variety of grains, including wheat, barley, soybeans, chickpeas, and fava beans, primarily for domestic consumption. This diverse grain production contributes significantly to Tunisia's food self-sufficiency, reducing import reliance and supporting the economy through increasing export volumes.
- Cereal production is a significant segment of Tunisia's grain market. According to FAO data, cereal crops occupied about 1.04 million hectares in 2022. The production volume of cereals reached 1.71 million metric tons in 2022, up from 1.67 million metric tons in 2021, reflecting strong domestic demand. Tunisia's per capita cereal consumption is among the highest globally, estimated at 258 kg per person annually as of 2022, according to an article published by AKADEMIYA2063, underscoring cereals' importance in the national diet.
- The Tunisian government has implemented policies to enhance food security by increasing domestic grain production to 2.7 million metric tons annually. These initiatives include agricultural input subsidies, irrigation support, and guaranteed producer prices. In July 2023, the African Development Bank Group approved a USD 87 million loan for the Cereal Sector Inclusive and Sustainable Development Support Project. This project aims to improve cereal productivity, upgrade storage capacity, support rail transport for cereals, secure supplies, and build the capacity of key stakeholders. These efforts are designed to strengthen resilience against external shocks and climate change in Tunisia's cereal sector.
Tunisia Grain Market Trends
Increasing Domestic Grain Production
Tunisia's domestic grain production has shown steady growth in recent years, benefiting the country's grain market. FAO data indicates wheat production increased from 1.04 million metric tons in 2020 to 1.13 million metric tons in 2022. This growth reduces reliance on imports and ensures a stable domestic grain supply, strengthening market stability and supporting food security.
The main grains in Tunisia include wheat, barley, and sorghum. The sector faces structural limitations due to the dominance of small farms, with 80% of farms being under 20 hectares and only 3% larger than 50 hectares. Despite these constraints, increased grain production is improving food security and creating export opportunities, enhancing foreign earnings and economic growth. Barley yields increased from 841.7 kg/ha in 2021 to 1,211.6 kg/ha in 2022, demonstrating the market's growth potential during the forecast period.
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Rising Barley Imports for Beer Production
Beer leads alcoholic beverage sales in Tunisia, driven by a large consumer base. The growing market for alcoholic drinks, changing consumer preferences, and increased tourism have significantly supported beer consumption. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), abour 72% of Tunisians who consume alcoholic beverages prefer beer, making local and global beer brands dominant in the market.
Barley, a key grain in Tunisia, is vital for beer production and other grain-based applications. However, domestic barley production, which remained high until 2019, declined sharply in 2020 and 2021. This reduction led to a significant rise in barley imports. Data from the International Trade Centre (ITC) shows barley imports increased from 506.8 thousand metric tons in 2019 to 959.9 thousand metric tons in 2020, reaching about 1.4 million metric tons by 2023. This substantial increase highlights the rising demand for barley in Tunisia.
The growing reliance on imports reflects high barley utilization in various sectors, including animal feed and beer production. Major suppliers such as Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Germany, and Bulgaria fulfil Tunisia's grain requirements. The increased availability of imported barley supports the beer industry and ensures a steady supply of livestock feed and other grain-based products, contributing to the overall growth of the Tunisian grain market.
Tunisia's rising barley imports address the country's increasing grain consumption needs, supporting the expansion of the grain market. This growth is further fueled by the thriving beer industry, making barley a critical component of Tunisia's agricultural imports and its broader economic development.
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Tunisia Grain Market News
- July 2023: The African Development Bank Group approved an USD 87 million loan for the Cereal Sector Inclusive and Sustainable Development Support Project. This project aims to improve cereal productivity, upgrade storage capacity, enhance rail transport for cereals, secure supplies, and build the capacity of key stakeholders.
- May 2023: The Tunisian government increased the price of durum wheat from 130 dinars (USD 42.18) to 140 dinars (USD 45.42) per 100 kg. This measure aims to support local farmers following a disastrous grain season caused by severe drought.
- August 2022: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has agreed to provide a sovereign-guaranteed loan of EUR 150.5 million (USD 160.5 million) to Office des Cereales (ODC), a Tunisian state-owned company. This loan is intended to fund imports of soft wheat, durum wheat, and barley, which represent 15 percent of Tunisia's annual consumption needs.
Tunisia Grain Industry Segmentation
Grain refers to the small, hard, dry seeds harvested from cereal crops or grasses, primarily used for the human consumption, animal feed, and industrial purposes. The Tunisian grain market is segmented by cereals, pulses, and oilseeds. The report offers an analysis of production (volume), consumption (value and volume), import (value and volume), export (value and volume), and price trend analysis. The report offers the market size and forecasts in terms of volume in metric tons and value in USD for all the above segments.
| Cereal | Production Analysis |
| Consumption Analysis and Market Value | |
| Import Market Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Export Market Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Price Trend Analysis | |
| Pulse | Production Analysis |
| Consumption Analysis and Market Value | |
| Import Market Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Export Market Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Price Trend Analysis | |
| Oilseeds | Production Analysis |
| Consumption Analysis and Market Value | |
| Import Market Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Export Market Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Price Trend Analysis |
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Tunisia Grain Market Research FAQs
How big is the Tunisia Grain Market?
The Tunisia Grain Market size is expected to reach USD 1.24 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 3.5% to reach USD 1.48 billion by 2030.
What is the current Tunisia Grain Market size?
In 2025, the Tunisia Grain Market size is expected to reach USD 1.24 billion.
What years does this Tunisia Grain Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Tunisia Grain Market size was estimated at USD 1.20 billion. The report covers the Tunisia Grain Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Tunisia Grain Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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Tunisia Grain Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Tunisia Grain market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Tunisia Grain analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
