Food trade balance records surplus of 1,350.5 MD (Onagri)

Tunis: The food trade balance recorded a surplus of 1,350.5 million dinars (MD), in April 2024, against a deficit of 213.8 MD, during the same month of the previous year, according to data published by the National Agricultural Observatory (Onagri). The coverage rate achieved is 156.8% in April 2024 compared to 91.6% in April 2023. In terms of value, food exports recorded an increase of 60.6% compared to April 2023, reaching 3726, 8 MD. Imports recorded a drop of 6.2% compared to the same period of last year, amounting to 2,376.3 MD. According to Onagri, the surplus recorded is, essentially, the result of the increase in exports of olive oil (+109.8%), fishing products (+40.8%) and dates (+19.5%). On the other hand, imports of sugar declined (-64.3%) and grains (-2.2%), despite the increase in imports of vegetable oils (+11.4%). Export prices observed an increase of 81% for olive oil, 26.7% for citrus fruits, 25.5% for fishing products, 4.1% for dates and by 0.6% for tomatoes compared to the same period o f the previous year. Import prices of grains fell by 15% for durum wheat, 23.7% for soft wheat, 29.4% for barley, 25.6% for corn, 23.2% for vegetable oils and 4.9% for milk and derivatives compared to an increase of 38.7% for sugar. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse