Tunisia has purchased about 200,000 tonnes of wheat and animal-feed barley in an international tender, continuing to secure grain supplies for the coming consumption season despite expectations of another above-average domestic harvest.
The country's state grains agency bought approximately 125,000 tonnes of soft wheat and 75,000 tonnes of feed barley in the tender held on August 27. The wheat was purchased in five 25,000-tonne consignments, while the barley was secured in three consignments of the same size. Shipments are scheduled between September and November, depending on origin.
The purchases come after Tunisia also secured about 25,000 tonnes of feed corn through an international tender earlier in August. The corn was reportedly purchased at around $277 per tonne, including freight, with shipments scheduled between September 15 and October 25.
The continued buying comes despite favourable conditions for Tunisia's domestic grain sector. Abundant rainfall, adequate soil moisture and moderate temperatures during the growing season have supported wheat and barley production, with the US Department of Agriculture forecasting 1.2 million tonnes of wheat and 570,000 tonnes of barley for the 2026/27 marketing year.
Tunisia's grain harvest has also progressed strongly. By July 19, more than 10.5 million quintals (approximately 1.05 million tonnes) of grain had been collected, with harvesting more than 90% complete nationwide.
However, a stronger harvest does not eliminate Tunisia's structural need for imports. Wheat consumption is forecast at around 3 million tonnes in 2026/27, leaving domestic production well below national requirements. USDA projects wheat imports of approximately 1.85 million tonnes, while barley imports are forecast at 370,000 tonnes.
The latest purchases therefore reflect Tunisia's effort to secure supplies while rebuilding stocks, rather than evidence of a domestic production crisis.
NBF Insight
Tunisia's grain market illustrates an important distinction between improving food production and achieving food self-sufficiency. Better rainfall can significantly strengthen domestic harvests and reduce import pressure, but Tunisia's consumption requirements remain substantially larger than its local wheat output.
The country is therefore using a dual strategy, increasing domestic production while maintaining access to international grain markets. For Tunisia, the challenge is gradually narrowing the gap between domestic supply and consumption without exposing consumers to excessive global-market volatility.
