Tunisia’s textile and clothing exports increased by 2.61% year-on-year by the end of May 2025, reaching 3,942 million dinars, according to Sabeur Ben Kilani, Director General of Textiles and Clothing at the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy. The sector’s imports also grew by 5.41%, totaling 3,107 million dinars.
Speaking during a study day organized at the Assembly of People’s Representatives (ARP) to examine the state of Tunisia’s textile industry, Ben Kilani emphasized the sector’s strong export orientation, with nearly 87% of products destined for European markets. Key clients include France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, the UK, and the USA.
Low Fabric Production Hampers Sector Integration
Despite its export success, the sector remains heavily reliant on imported fabrics, which account for 67% of total imports. Ben Kilani pointed out that local fabric production meets only 7% of the industry’s needs. He attributed this low rate to a lack of large-scale domestic manufacturers capable of producing high-quality fabrics in sufficient volume, undermining integration and competitiveness.
External and Internal Pressures
The industry is grappling with numerous challenges. Externally, it faces increased maritime transport costs, logistical delays, declining purchasing power in Europe, and strategic shifts in EU textile policies projected for 2030.
Internally, the sector suffers from labor shortages, high energy and water costs, burdensome administrative procedures, limited access to bank financing, outdated customs and social security regulations, and delays in critical infrastructure projects, such as the Monastir El Fejja collective wastewater treatment plant.
Additional internal issues include weak enforcement in public procurement, lack of regulation in the domestic market, inadequate technical inspection of imports, and poor coordination among institutional stakeholders.
Strategic Recommendations and Call for Action
To address the growing labor deficit, Ben Kilani proposed the creation of a task force to design an urgent action plan and align international vocational training programs with sectoral needs.
He also called for the acceleration of the Monastir El Fejja wastewater treatment project, greater financial flexibility for struggling companies, a review of late payment penalties, and the simplification of licensing procedures, especially for businesses outside designated industrial zones.
Ben Kilani urged the inclusion of the Textile Technical Center in support initiatives and recommended expanding and updating the list of products subject to technical control at import, to better protect and regulate the domestic market.
Despite the positive export figures, the sector’s long-term sustainability, growth, and competitiveness will depend on urgently addressing these structural challenges.
