Tunisia’s energy trade balance has straightened slightly in the first quarter of 2025, thanks to a joint drop in oil prices and imports. The deficit fell 8% over a year, according to the latest report from the National Energy and Mines Observatory.
At the end of April 2025, the deficit in the energy trade balance established 3,557 million dinars (MD), against 3,850 MD in the same period in 2024, an 8%drop, according to data published by the National Observatory for Energy and Mines.
This improvement has been recorded taking into account the exported Algerian gas royalty, an important structural factor in the energy balances of Tunisia.
Decline in exports and energy imports
Exports of energy products experienced a significant drop of 28% in value, while imports have also decreased, but more moderate (-12%). These variations are largely linked to the evolution of international prices and volumes exchanged.
Three main elements influence trade in the energy sector: imported and exported quantities, the Dinar/Dollar exchange rate and the price of the Brent, reference for crude oil
In April 2025, the Brent price dropped by $ 22 per barrel compared to April 2024, reducing the country’s energy bill. In addition, the Tunisian dinar has strengthened slightly against the US dollar, with an appreciation of 0.2 % over a year, limiting the inflationary impact of imports.