Tunis is struggling to contain its external imbalances: the trade deficit increased by 24% in the first half of 2025, reaching $3.4 billion, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
This deterioration is mainly due to a sustained increase in imports, which amounted to $14.36 billion (approximately €13.3 billion) over six months. The energy sector contributed significantly to this trend, with a 13 percent increase in purchases of hydrocarbons and derivatives, in a context of international price volatility and the country’s structural dependence.
At the same time, Tunisian exports remained virtually stagnant, struggling to regain momentum despite the recovery of some industrial and agricultural sectors. Export competitiveness remains
affected by high logistics costs, latent political instability, and a lack of access to new markets.
This persistent imbalance in the trade balance increases economic pressures on Tunisia, which is already facing sluggish growth, burdensome debt servicing, and difficult discussions with
international donors, particularly the International Monetary Fund.
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