{"id":33377,"date":"2025-07-14T16:06:26","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T14:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fondation-farm.org\/?p=33377"},"modified":"2025-08-27T12:24:29","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T10:24:29","slug":"lafrique-du-nord-face-aux-mutations-du-commerce-mondial-quelles-strategies-dexportation-agricole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fondation-farm.org\/en\/lafrique-du-nord-face-aux-mutations-du-commerce-mondial-quelles-strategies-dexportation-agricole\/","title":{"rendered":"North Africa facing changes in global trade: what agricultural export strategies?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The recent rise in trade tensions on global markets, illustrated by the strengthening of tariff barriers in the United States, is a reminder of the complex challenges of a rapidly changing globalization landscape. In this unprecedented context, the FARM Foundation is continuing its regional analyses of African agricultural foreign trade, focusing on North Africa and its trade with the rest of the world. A second section will complement these analyses on trade relations with the United States and China.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Istanbul, ocean scene with cargo ship (\u00a9<\/b><\/span><\/span>Freepik)<\/em><\/p>\n

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85 % of agricultural exports are food<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Between 2012 and 2023, agricultural exports from North African countries to the rest of the world (outside Africa) more than doubled in value (+139 %), rising from nearly USD 6.8 billion to more than USD 16.24 billion.<\/p>\n

When we look at the structure of exports agricultural<\/strong> from North Africa to the world (outside Africa), we see that they are largely dominated by food products<\/strong>In 2012 as in 2023, the situation remained comparable: more than 85 % of agricultural products exported by Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia or Algeria are edible foodstuffs (fruits, vegetables, olive oil, etc.).<\/p>\n

Chart 1<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Processed products: a slow rise in range<\/span><\/h3>\n
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If North Africa mainly exports food products, what about level of transformation<\/strong> of these products? Let us distinguish here the primary products<\/strong> (raw or minimally processed, such as fresh fruit, unprocessed cereals, raw agricultural products) and processed products<\/strong> (with higher added value, such as preserves, oils, food preparations, etc.). In this respect, the decade 2012\u20132023 shows some encouraging progress, although the predominance of primary education remains.<\/p>\n

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Egypt in the lead, but a transformation challenge still exists<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Egypt stands out clearly as the leading North African agricultural exporter (nearly 51,% in 2023)<\/strong>, with a spectacular growth in its agricultural exports to the world outside Africa (+170 %) in a decade. In 2012, these exports reached USD 3.05 billion, mainly composed of primary products (59 %). In 2023, this distribution remained relatively stable, with processed products then representing 46 %. The total value of exports has almost tripled to reach USD 8.25 billion. Egypt still has significant room to develop its agri-food industry and further increase its export added value.<\/p>\n

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Morocco, a heavyweight in raw materials<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Morocco's agricultural exports are worth around 39 billion euros at the regional level. <\/strong>and have increased by 2.3 between 2012 (USD 2.65 billion) and 2023 (USD 6.2 billion). Despite this remarkable increase, the proportion of processed products in Moroccan agricultural exports remains lower, 27 % in 2012 and 24 % in 2023. This observation could reflect a strategic choice by the country to capitalize on its primary products (notably citrus fruits and fresh vegetables) while maintaining a stable, but moderate share of products with higher added value (oils, juices, etc.).<\/p>\n

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Tunisia focuses on processing and high value-added products<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Tunisia with nearly 10 % of regional exports,<\/strong> displays a radically different dynamic from its neighbors, being the North African country most oriented towards processed agricultural products. In 2023, nearly three-quarters (74 %) of its agricultural exports were processed products, compared to 66 % in 2012. Tunisian agricultural products generate greater added value, thanks to emblematic sectors such as packaged olive oil. Other sectors of unprocessed products generate greater added value, such as dates. The total value of its agricultural exports has almost doubled, rising from $798 million in 2012 to around $1.55 billion in 2023 (+94 %). For Tunisia, the future challenge lies in consolidating these high-end markets and expanding its international outlets.<\/p>\n

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Algeria: Agricultural exports in decline, dominated by primary products<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Algeria's trade dynamics contrast with those of its North African neighbors. Between 2012 and 2023, the total value of its agricultural exports decreased by 22 billion pounds, from $266 million to $208 million. Moreover, the share of processed products declined sharply, from $83 million to $55 million between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n

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Libya almost absent from regional agricultural exports<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally, it is striking to note Libya's very low presence in these statistics. Its agricultural exports to the rest of the world outside Africa remain very low, reaching only $7 million in 2023, a slight increase of $1 million compared to 2012. This marginal figure could reflect the persistent impact of internal political crises, which significantly limit the country's agricultural development and export capacity.<\/p>\n

Chart 2<\/strong><\/p>\n

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A marked specialization in fruits, vegetables and vegetable oils<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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North African agricultural exports to the rest of the world are dominated by three main sectors, each of which experienced remarkable developments between 2012 and 2023.<\/p>\n

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Edible fruits, citrus peel or melons (nearly 31,100 t of exports in 2023): + 156,100 t in 11 years<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This category remains the most important, with a notable growth in exports, going from nearly 1.93 to 4.95 billion USD between 2012 and 2023. This dynamic illustrates the marked specialization of the region in Mediterranean and subtropical fruits, such as citrus fruits<\/strong> (oranges and mandarins), dates<\/strong> and more recently red fruits<\/strong> (raspberries, blueberries) as well as melons and avocados<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Vegetables, roots and tubers (nearly 27,100 tonnes of exports in 2023):<\/strong> + 144 %<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This second major category also saw a sharp increase, from nearly USD 1.76 billion to USD 4.3 billion between 2012 and 2023. The region thus confirms its competitiveness in the export of fresh vegetables, in particular tomatoes, potatoes, onions, leguminous vegetables<\/strong> (green beans, peas), mainly intended for European markets. However, these exports come at the cost of very high water consumption and inputs, calling into question the sustainability of these agricultural and commercial choices.<\/p>\n

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Vegetable fats and oils (nearly 9,100 t of exports in 2023): + 132,100 t <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Vegetable fats and oils are another strategic sector that is growing rapidly, growing from USD 620 million in 2012 to around USD 1.44 billion in 2023. This growth is mainly driven by olive oil<\/strong> Tunisian, flagship product with high added value.<\/p>\n

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In addition to these three major sectors, vegetable and fruit preparations (nearly 7 % of exports in 2023)<\/strong> are distinguished by spectacular growth: the value of their exports more than tripled between 2012 and 2023, rising from 332 million to more than 1.023 billion USD, a sign of a progressive transformation of the North African agrifood supply.<\/p>\n

Chart 3<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Main outlets: Europe remains predominant, Asian breakthrough and consolidation in the Middle East<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Chart 4<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Europe, a historic partner and primary regional outlet<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In 2023, European countries accounted for 46.1% of North African agricultural exports to the rest of the world. This predominance is based on historical trade relations, facilitated by geographical proximity. The majority of exports to Europe concern products food (93 to 97 % <\/strong>depending on the country) and primary (65 to 89 %)<\/strong>, such as fruits, vegetables, oils and dates.<\/p>\n