The following export product groups represent the highest dollar value in Tunisian global shipments during 2016. Also shown is the percentage share each export category represents in terms of overall exports from Tunisia. At the more detailed Harmonized Tariff System code level, Tunisia’s number one exported product is insulated wire or cable followed by men’s clothing.

1. Electrical machinery, equipment: US$3.8 billion (28.6% of total exports)
2. Clothing, accessories (not knit or crochet): $2.1 billion (16.2%)
3. Knit or crochet clothing, accessories: $866.9 million (6.6%)
4. Mineral fuels including oil: $664.6 million (5%)
5. Footwear: $560 million (4.2%)
6. Animal/vegetable fats, oils, waxes: $469.6 million (3.6%)
7. Vehicles : $460.4 million (3.5%)
8. Machinery including computers: $456.7 million (3.5%)
9. Optical, technical, medical apparatus: $412.2 million (3.1%)
10. Plastics, plastic articles: $294.6 million (2.2%)

Optical, technical, medical apparatus was the fastest-growing among the top 10 export categories, up by 82.3% for the 7-year period starting in 2009.

In second place for improving export sales was electrical machinery and equipment which was up by 39.1%.

Tunisian-made vehicles posted the third-fastest gain in value up by 29.9%, led by automotive parts and accessories.

The leading decliner among the top 10 Tunisian export categories was mineral fuels including oil which retreated by -66.3%.

The following types of Tunisian product shipments represent positive net exports or a trade balance surplus. Investopedia defines net exports as the value of a country’s total exports minus the value of its total imports.

In a nutshell, net exports is the amount by which foreign spending on a home country’s goods or services exceeds or lags the home country’s spending on foreign goods or services.

1. Clothing, accessories (not knit or crochet): US$1.9 billion (Up by 5.4% since 2009)
2. Electrical machinery, equipment: $1.2 billion (Up by 212%)
3. Knit or crochet clothing, accessories: $731.6 million (Down by -1.8%)
4. Footwear: $418.4 million (Up by 15.7%)
5. Animal/vegetable fats, oils, waxes: $283.5 million (Down by -10.3%)
6. Inorganic chemicals: $220.2 million (Down by -32.3%)
7. Fruits, nuts: $195.5 million (Down by -4.2%)
8. Fertilizers: $190.9 million (Down by -69.9%)
9. Aircraft, spacecraft: $122.5 million (Down by -254.7%)
10. Leather/animal gut articles: $114.3 million (Up by 168.1%)

Tunisia has highly positive net exports in the international trade of clothing and accessories. In turn, these cashflows indicate Tunisia’s strong competitive advantages under the clothing and accessories product categories whether or not knit or crocheted.

Overall, Tunisia incurred a -$3.6 billion trade deficit for 2016 down by -23% from -$4.7 billion during 2009.

Below are exports from Tunisia that result in negative net exports or product trade balance deficits. These negative net exports reveal product categories where foreign spending on home country Tunisia’s goods trail Tunisian importer spending on foreign products.

1. Machinery including computers: -US$1.4 billion (Down by -36.5% since 2009)
2. Vehicles : -$886.7 million (Down by -18.9%)
3. Plastics, plastic articles: -$781.4 million (Up by 31.1%)
4. Mineral fuels including oil: -$554.7 million (Up by 165.1%)
5. Cereals: -$467.5 million (Down by -0.04%)
6. Pharmaceuticals: -$406.6 million (Up by 2.5%)
7. Iron, steel: -$383.6 million (Down by -15.3%)
8. Cotton: -$381.3 million (Down by -52.8%)
9. Knit or crochet fabric: -$299 million (Up by 241.9%)
10. Copper: -$255.7 million (Up by 9.1%)

Tunisia has highly negative net exports and therefore deep international trade deficits under the machinery including computers category.

Tunisian Export Companies

Not one Tunisian corporation ranks among Forbes Global 2000 for 2016.

Wikipedia lists exports-related companies from Tunisia. Selected examples are shown below:

• Evertek (telecommunications)
• Groupe Mabrouk (food, beverages)
• Industries Mécaniques Maghrébines (automobiles)
• Vermeg (technology & software)
• Wallyscar (car manufacturer)