InfoSAWIT, TUNISIA — Tunisia and Indonesia are preparing to sign a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in January 2026, covering a wide range of agricultural and food commodities. The news was first reported by the Jakarta Globe on 25 November, quoting Indonesia’s Trade Minister Budi Santoso, who said the negotiations were “almost complete.”
A PTA provides tariff advantages and reduced administrative barriers for selected goods between countries. Under the upcoming agreement, Tunisia will grant special treatment for key Indonesian products such as palm oil, bananas, cocoa, frozen fish, and textile yarn.
In return, Indonesia will lower import duties on various Tunisian goods, including crustaceans and dates. Both governments believe the PTA will enhance the global competitiveness of their respective products, especially against suppliers from other countries.
As reported by InfoSAWIT via ecofinagency.com on Sunday (7/12/2025), the agreement is also seen as strategic for Tunisia, particularly to strengthen olive oil exports in the 2025/2026 season. In October, the Tunisian government reiterated its commitment to expanding its edible oil markets in Asia and South America in anticipation of a projected production surplus next year.
In 2024, Indonesia imported approximately US$21 million worth of olive oil, but only 1% came from Tunisia. The North African country continues to face stiff competition from major suppliers such as Italy, Spain, Egypt, and Turkiye, according to Trade Map data.
Beyond olive oil, Tunisia is also expected to benefit from opportunities in other food products. UNCTAD data show that Indonesia imported an average of US$23.3 billion in food products annually between 2021 and 2023, underscoring the substantial potential for expanded trade.
With negotiations nearing completion, the Tunisia–Indonesia PTA is poised to become a significant milestone in bilateral trade relations and strengthen the global presence of key commodities—including Indonesian palm oil. (T2)
