The food trade balance deficit contracted by 55% to 919.2 million dinars (MDT) between the end of October 2022 and 2023, mainly due to the 54.3% increase in olive oil exports. and a 9% drop in cereal imports and a 26.7% drop in vegetable oil imports.
The coverage rate reached 85.7%, compared to 69.1% at the end of October 2022, according to a note on the food trade balance indicators at the end of October 2023 published on November 16, 2023, by the National Agricultural Observatory (Onagri).
In value terms, food exports increased by 20.4% compared to the end of October 2022, to reach 5,502.4 MTD.
Imports amounted to 6,421.6 MTD at the end of October 2023, down 3% compared to the same period in 2022.
The food trade deficit narrowed despite a 79.6% increase in sugar imports and a 59.9% increase in milk and dairy by-product imports.
However, export prices increased by 59.3% for olive oil, 27.8% for tomatoes, 4.4% for dates, 2% for fish products, and 1.2% for citrus fruits, compared to the same period of 2022, specifies the observatory.
Import prices of cereals fell by 26.5% for durum wheat, by 21.9% for soft wheat, by 23.4% for barley and by 20.2%. for corn.
The same goes for vegetable oils and milk and dairy by-products, which fell by 22% and 2% respectively.
On the other hand, sugar prices increased by 15.3%.
