Exports and Imports
in North Africa
2018
Sami Driss

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Tunisia:
During 2017, Tunisia's foreign trade recorded an increase in volume of 4,3 % in exports and
2,6% in imports.
In terms of prices, exports increased by 13,2% and imports by 16,7%.
In current values, Tunisia's external trade reached 12.657 billion dollars in exports in the year
2017 and 18.389 billion dollars in imports, recording an increase of 18,1% in exports. and 19,8%
on imports, compared to 2016.
Exportations in M USD Importations in M USD
2016 2017 2016 2017
10 715,07 12 656,99 15 348,16 18 389,34

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Importations and Exportations of Tunisia by group of products in Million USD:
Group of Products Exportation 2017 Importation 2017
Agriculture and food Industry 1 133 1 741
Energy and lubricants 604 1 598
Mine, Phasphates and derivates 527 249
Textile, clothing and leather 2 390 1 896
Mecanic industry and electricity 4 872 6 908
The most Imported products in 2017 in Million USD
Products Amount
Refined products 1 009
Tissues 740
Cars 465
Iron and Steel 422
Natural gas 414
Plastic materials 412
Textile articles 380
Pharma Products 330
Chimical products 300
Lamps 289
The Biggest suppliers of Tunisia in 2017:
Italy remains the country that exports the most to Tunisia in the world. It exported nearly 1,02
billion dollars of goods and services to Tunisia. France follows very closely with nearly 1,00
billion dollars of exports.
Next come China and Germany, which are almost equal. Not surprisingly, these two countries
are among the largest exporting economies in the world.
In addition , Turkey importations to Tunisia is about 4.6% of total imports of the country which
widens the deficit of the Tunisian trade balance.

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The top 5 markets of Tunisia in 2017:
The biggest export market for Tunisia remains the European Union in general: France, Italy,
Germany and Spain occupy the first 4 places of the ranking of the largest importers of Tunisian
products.
In January 2018, the trading exchanges records an increase of 39 % in exports and almost 25 %
in imports compared to January 2017.
Exports of agriculture products and food industries has registered a good rank compared to
January 2017. Exports of the textile, clothing, leather and footwear sector have grown by 27%;
those in the mechanical and electrical industries sector by 26%.
Tunisian Imports - Forecast:

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Algeria:
Since the increase for almost 95% of the total amount of exports, it is essentially the increase of
the price of a barrel of oil which is the source of this trend (the price of a barrel of Sahara Blend
rose from 44.3 USD / bbl in average for 2016 at 54.1 USD / bbl in 2017).
Exports excluding hydrocarbons also increased by 5.2% and reached USD 1.7 billion in 2017.
They remain marginal and represent only 5.5% of Algerian exports. In addition, the vast
majority is semi-finished products from the oil and gas industries (more than 70%), the rest
being mainly foodstuffs (cane or beet sugar, dates).
The European Union remains Algeria's main customer by absorbing more than 58% of Algerian
exports.

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The most Imported Groups Products in Million USD
Group of Products 2017
Cereals, semolina and flour 2 774
pharmaceuticals 1 893
Cars 1 617
Petroleum oils 1 604
Milk and dairy products 1 410
Electrical equipments for telephony 1 125
Sugars and sweets 1 034
Pipes and tubes of iron or steel 1 021
Constructions and parts of constructions 934
Oils for the food industry 850
Top 10 Suppliers of Algeria in 2017 in Million USD
Country In M USD
China 8 309
France 4 295
Italy 3 754
Germany 2 115
Spain 3 128
Turkey 1 998
USA 1 816
Corea 1 675
Argentina 1 518
Brazil 1 374
In 2018, the Algerian council of ministers adopts a new law for the restriction of importations; it
decided to temporarily suspend imports of 851 products consisting mainly of foodstuffs,
household electrical goods and electronic products.

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Algerian Imports - Forecast:

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Morocco:
In 2017, Moroccan importations increased of 6,3%, while exports rose by 9,3%
The most Imported Products
 Cereals mainly wheat and maize
 Food products
 Computer accessories, telephones and phones
 Medical and paramedical products
 Pharmaceuticals
 Cosmetic products
 Solar energy products

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The most Exported Products in 2017:
Products %
Electrical machinery, equipment: 16,50%
Cars and vehicules 13,30%
Fertilizers 1,10%
Clothing, accessories 9,40%
Fish 5,10%
Inorganic chemicals 4,40%
Vegetables 4,40%
Salt, sulphur, stone, cement 4,20%
Fruits, nuts 3,60%
Knit or crochet clothing, accessories 3,20%
Moroccan Imports - Forecast:

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Egypt:
The Most imported Products into Egypt:
 Mineral and chemical products: are the quarter of all imports made by Egypt
 Agricultural products and food: Mainly wheat, maize and meat are representing around
24 % of all Egyptian importations, because of a high demand and number of the
population.
 Electrical Equipment: it's about 15% of all imports, mainly because the increase of
demand of urban cities in the country.
 Metals: Considered of one of the main imports of the country, it represent 13% of all
imports each year. The demand is in increase year after year because of the increase if
building constructions and development of new cities.
 Leather, textile and wearing products
 Cars

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Main Egyptian Exports:
 Gold
 Crude petroleum
 Refined petroleum
 Nitrogenous Fertilizers
 Chemicals
Main partner countries:
Main Exportation countries 2017 Main seller country 2017
United Arab Emirates 10,60% China 12,20%
Italy 8,50% Germany 6,80%
Turkey 7,20% Italy 6,30%
Saudi Arabia 6,00% Saudi Arabia 6,30%
United States 5,10% United States 0,059
Egypt Imports - Forecast: