Tunisia's olive oil exports surged 55.3% to a record 368,000 metric tons in the first nine months of the 2025/26 season, bringing in $1.6 billion in export revenue, up 44.4% from a year earlier, official data showed on Friday. The surge in olive oil shipments, a vital source of foreign currency and Tunisia's top agricultural export, will provide a much-needed boost to the country's finances as the government grapples with persistent economic and fiscal pressure. The jump in exports was driven by strong global demand during the first nine months of the season, which began in November. Extra virgin olive oil accounted for 83.6% of total shipments, the National Observatory of Agriculture said, Reuters reported. The European Union remained the biggest destination, taking 57.1% of Tunisian olive oil exports, while North America accounted for 24%. More than 70 countries imported Tunisian oil during the period. Exports to other markets included Saudi Arabia, which took 4.6%, Jordan with 3.1% and African markets at 3.8%, with Egypt accounting for 3.3%. Bottled olive oil exports rose 50.8% to 51,500 tons, but bulk oil still accounted for the vast majority of shipments, underscoring Tunisia's challenge in capturing more value from one of its most important export products.
