GIEWS Country Brief: Tunisia’s Food Security Outlook for 2025

The GIEWS Country Brief for Tunisia highlights improved food security due to significant rainfall, recovery in cereal production, below-average import requirements for cereals, and easing food inflation. January 2025 rainfall is set to enhance crop conditions, marking a positive outlook for the 2025 agricultural season.

The GIEWS Country Brief for Tunisia, dated March 26, 2025, details the nation’s food security situation amidst significant weather and economic changes. The report notes that the abundant rainfall in January 2025 has positively influenced the conditions for cereal crops, marking a beneficial start to the year’s agricultural cycle,

The 2024 cereal crop production is estimated at approximately 1.5 million tonnes, representing a remarkable recovery from the drought-affected 2023 output. Although this figure remains 6 percent below the five-year average, improved weather conditions in early 2024 facilitated growth in the northern and central regions, enhancing the potential for increased yields.

Forecasts for the 2024/25 marketing year suggest that Tunisia’s cereal import needs will remain below-average at 3.5 million tonnes. Notably, wheat imports, which comprise over half of the total cereal imports, are projected to reach about 2 million tonnes, slightly above the average, primarily due to the robust wheat production achieved in 2024.

Furthermore, food inflation has shown signs of easing through 2024, registering approximately 7 percent in February 2025, a significant decrease from the peak of 16 percent observed in May 2023. This inflationary pattern has been influenced by price hikes in bovine meat, fish, and poultry, while oil prices have seen a decline of around 16.2 percent.

In summary, Tunisia’s food security outlook for 2025 appears optimistic, bolstered by favorable weather conditions and substantial improvements in cereal crop production following a challenging drought year. With a projected decrease in cereal import requirements and easing food inflation, the agricultural sector shows signs of stability and recovery.

Original Source: reliefweb.int