
Tunisia-China trade volume rises by 8%
However, the untapped export potential to China is estimated at 214 million dollars (approximately 613.5 million dinars), including 20 million dollars (about 57.3 million dinars) for olive oil, 15 million dollars (about 43 million dinars) for seafood products and 2.5 million dollars (about 7 million dinars) for dates.
This highlights the opportunities to be seized in this market to reduce the trade deficit and promote balanced trade between the two countries, according to the same source.
A high-level delegation from 'Wuhan Yangluo Port Services Group', a Chinese group specialized in the fields of international trade, logistics, finance, and investment, is currently visiting Tunisia, until July 29.
This visit aims to explore partnership and investment opportunities in the Tunisian market, both in terms of importing Tunisian products and developing investment projects in promising sectors, said the executive director of the Chinese group, Xu Baowei.
B2B meetings were organized by CEPEX between the members of the delegation and 25 Tunisian companies with strong export potential to China.

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African Manager
a day ago
- African Manager
Tunisia-China trade volume rises by 8%
Trade between Tunisia and China reached approximately 9.2 billion dinars in 2024, an increase of 8% compared to 2023, according to the Export Promotion Center (CEPEX). However, the untapped export potential to China is estimated at 214 million dollars (approximately 613.5 million dinars), including 20 million dollars (about 57.3 million dinars) for olive oil, 15 million dollars (about 43 million dinars) for seafood products and 2.5 million dollars (about 7 million dinars) for dates. This highlights the opportunities to be seized in this market to reduce the trade deficit and promote balanced trade between the two countries, according to the same source. A high-level delegation from 'Wuhan Yangluo Port Services Group', a Chinese group specialized in the fields of international trade, logistics, finance, and investment, is currently visiting Tunisia, until July 29. This visit aims to explore partnership and investment opportunities in the Tunisian market, both in terms of importing Tunisian products and developing investment projects in promising sectors, said the executive director of the Chinese group, Xu Baowei. B2B meetings were organized by CEPEX between the members of the delegation and 25 Tunisian companies with strong export potential to China.


African Manager
a day ago
- African Manager
Tunisia produces less electricity than it consumes
Mohamed Ali Fenira, a member of the Industry Committee in the Assembly of People's Representatives, stated that Tunisia's electricity production remains insufficient compared to consumption, highlighting the power cuts recorded in several regions of the country since Sunday. He specified that consumption is close to 5,000 megawatts, while production does not exceed 4,200 megawatts. Speaking on Express FM, he noted that there is a significant electricity deficit. No imports from Algeria have been possible, as the country faces the same issue. All of Tunisia's electricity comes from Algerian gas, at nearly 100%. Electricity must be available continuously, without interruption. It is imperative to expand the use of photovoltaic energy. However, he announced that work on the Tunisia-Italy electrical interconnection project (ELMED) will begin next month. This project will allow electricity exchange. Tunisia will have an energy surplus for 8 months (October to June), which it can export to Italy, and import back when needed. Solar energy development not progressing! Regarding solar energy, he noted that photovoltaic energy development is not advancing as it should. Many factories want to equip themselves, but the procedures take more than a year, discouraging investors. He also pointed out that the Tunisian state buys only 30% of the excess electricity produced by factories, at a price of 80 millimes/kWh, whereas in concessions granted to foreign investors, the price is 95 to 100 millimes/kWh. He stressed the lack of incentives, especially for households. Fenira added that the energy transition failed a first and second time. 'We hope the one planned for 2030-2035 will succeed. This is the only hope to avoid power cuts. Electricity is an absolute priority, and its availability must be continuous. We must massively expand photovoltaic use.' He also mentioned power cuts in industrial zones and numerous citizen complaints, recalling that the Assembly adopted Bill 65/2025 concerning the guarantee agreement signed on March 12, 2025, between Tunisia and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, to finance natural gas imports by STEG (Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company), with 73 votes in favor, 14 abstentions, and 12 against. This text relates to the purchase of a quantity of Algerian gas, which is a temporary solution for Tunisia. The MP also recalled that the 2015 Renewable Energy Law stipulates that the energy strategy must be approved by a ministerial decree after consultation with several ministries, but this has still not been done. This has caused blockages, particularly in land management. He mentioned the goal of reaching 35% renewable energy by 2030, stating that energy self-sufficiency in electricity is possible, provided that agreements are accelerated and strategies implemented. He also stressed that several investors have obtained bank approval to finance their photovoltaic projects, which is encouraging. Renewable energy is a goal for the state, investors, and financial institutions. 'Energy independence by 2035 is possible,' he said, while acknowledging that more efforts are needed, particularly on storage solutions and nighttime supply options, such as hydrogen or other alternatives. He called for a revision of several laws, including those on renewable energy and investment, to remove current obstacles. Finally, he addressed the debate over the article on projects of national interest, which, once approved, would automatically be considered as having obtained all necessary permits. This primarily concerns energy projects. Several regions of the country have experienced power cuts due to a heatwave. STEG clarified that these cuts were not due to local technical failures but rather a preventive nationwide measure (load shedding) to avoid a total grid collapse (blackout) in the face of unprecedented consumption peaks.


African Manager
6 days ago
- African Manager
Organic exports: Olive oil and dates top the list
Tunisia exported 39,745 tons of organic agricultural products between January 1 and June 30, 2025, generating revenue of 489.03 million dinars, according to the National Agricultural Observatory (ONAGRI). Organic olive oil and organic dates largely dominated the export sector, accounting for 86.8% and 22.7% of the total volume, respectively. Organic olive oil alone accounted for 45,000 tons, valued at 620.8 million dinars, representing 20% of the volume and 20.2% of the total value of the country's olive oil exports. Italy became the top importer, absorbing 52.7% of organic olive oil exports, followed by the United States and Spain. Organic dates also recorded strong performance during the first nine months of the 2024/2025 season, with exports reaching 6,686.5 tons and generating 59.5 million dinars at an average price of 8.90 dinars per kilogram. These figures represent 5.5% of Tunisia's total date export volume and 7.7% of the value. Germany was the top destination for Tunisian organic dates, importing 30% of the total volume, closely followed by the Netherlands and Belgium at 22% each. The sustained demand from European markets highlights Tunisia's growing reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality organic products. A Bright Future for Organics! Tunisia is examining the potential of organic agriculture as part of a groundbreaking study, the results of which were unveiled during a presentation to key national partners working in this sector, which is emerging as a strategic hub for the country's sustainable economic development. At least, this is the assessment of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). According to the FAO, the top priority is to develop and strengthen the organic agriculture sector by adopting a territorial approach that selects, based on bioclimatic zones, reference organic production systems as well as the most suitable farms to transition to this sustainable and integrated production model. The goal is to define a reference model for organic agriculture tailored to each bioclimatic zone, especially since Tunisia has resilient organic production systems. It is worth noting that 750 surveys were conducted across Tunisia, clearly distinguishing statistics related to conventional farming systems from those linked to organic agriculture. This mapping provided unprecedented statistics on geographical distributions, structures, involved professional organizations, and selected production types. Currently, Tunisia's organic agriculture sector includes nearly 7,200 stakeholders, including farmers, processors, traders, and others, of whom 6,669 are producers. These stakeholders are actively seeking support and guidance to enhance their competitiveness and comply with the ever-evolving requirements of the international market, which is subject to dynamic organic regulations.