Tunisia has firmly established itself as a leading player in Europe’s textile and apparel supply chain, ranking as the 9th largest apparel supplier to the European Union. According to Industry Minister Fatma Thabet Chiboub, textiles accounted for 16% of Tunisia’s total industrial exports in 2024—valued at TND 9 billion—with a 127% coverage rate, marking a robust performance in the sector.
Speaking at the Tunisian-European Textile Summit in Monastir, Minister Thabet highlighted the strategic importance of the textile industry, which represents 29% of Tunisia’s industrial employment, supporting over 150,000 jobs and comprising 1,400 industrial companies—more than 30% of the country’s industrial base.
The summit, organized to deepen Euro-Mediterranean partnerships, focused on advancing a sustainable, innovative, and environmentally responsible textile industry. The Minister also reviewed progress on the Global Textiles and Clothing Programme (GTEX/MENATEX)—a Swiss-funded initiative implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) to boost textile export competitiveness in five countries, including Tunisia.
Denim and Workwear: A Key Growth Segment
According to the Textile Technical Centre (CETTEX), Tunisia has a promising opportunity to expand exports of jeans and workwear, especially to Germany and other traditional European markets. The centre estimates this could result in €160 million in additional exports and the creation of over 25,000 new jobs.
Tunisia already holds a strong position in the European denim market, ranking as the 4th largest supplier of denim trousers to the EU, with an 8.63% market share in 2021, up from 8.46% in 2020. In that year, Tunisia exported 17.76 million pairs of jeans to the EU, worth €322 million, marking a 14% increase in volume compared to 2020.
The EU imported 438 million pairs of jeans in 2021, with an average unit price of €8.53. Tunisia, by contrast, had the highest average unit price in the EU at €18.14, reinforcing its positioning as a premium, high-value supplier. This average price grew by 0.22% over 2020 and 3.93% over 2019.
A Call for Technical and Financial Support
CETTEX underlined the need for increased technical and financial assistance to enable SMEs in the sector to undergo a sustainable and digital transformation, aligning with EU environmental and traceability regulations. The centre also stressed the importance of tailored support for new investors, strategic diplomatic engagement to promote Tunisia as a sourcing destination, and market-specific promotional plans to increase global visibility.
Tunisia’s strength lies not only in its competitive pricing and geographical proximity to Europe, but also in its deep-rooted expertise in high-quality garment production, particularly in denim. As the European demand for traceable, eco-friendly, and ethically made apparel grows, Tunisia is positioning itself as a strategic textile hub capable of meeting future industry demands.
With the continued support of international development programs and proactive national policies, Tunisia’s textile sector is poised for sustained growth, further weaving its legacy into the fabric of the European apparel market.
