Tunisia's trade deficit reached 1.67 billion US dollars in the first quarter of 2026, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS). The figure represents a significant economic challenge for the country, continuing a trend of trade imbalances.
The deficit persisted despite a reported increase in export revenues. Official figures indicate that exports rose by 5.2% compared to the same period in 2025, reaching approximately 4.8 billion dollars. However, this growth was outpaced by a sharper increase in the value of imports, which grew by 8.7% to around 6.47 billion dollars.
The structure of the deficit highlights ongoing dependencies. The energy sector remains a primary driver of the trade gap, with the cost of energy imports continuing to weigh heavily on the national budget. Meanwhile, key export sectors like textiles, mechanical and electrical industries, and agriculture showed varied performance.
Economists point to the persistent deficit as a pressure point for Tunisia's foreign currency reserves and a contributing factor to inflationary pressures. The government has cited efforts to boost export competitiveness and diversify trade partners as part of its strategy to address the chronic imbalance.
