Trade balance in fish products posts surplus of TND 73.8 million in January

Tunis: The trade balance in fish products posted a surplus of TND 73.8 million in January, in excess of 178.5% of January 2023 figures (TND 26.5 million), data released Tuesday by the National Observatory of Agriculture (French: ONAGRI) show. Tunisia exported a total of 3,500 tonnes worth TND 96 million in January 2024, edging up 88.2% in value and 20.7% in volume compared to the same month last year. ONAGRI also reported a 55% rise in export prices in comparison with January 2023. The most exported species are fish (2,300 tonnes), canned and semi-curedfish (500 tonnes) and shellfish (450 tonnes). Spain comes on top of Tunisia's export destinations with (37%), followed by Italy (19%) and Japan (16%). Meanwhile, the value of imports fell 9.4% to TND 22.2 million in January 2024. Their volume dropped 19.6% to 4,100 tonnes. Import prices grew 12% on the same month last year. Imported quantities are meant for industrialisation to the tune of 83% (frozen tuna and anchovies), market supply (10%) and fattening (7%). Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse