Arabfields, Habiba Masmoudi, Economic Correspondent, Tunisia — Tunisia’s economy has entered a stronger phase of recovery, with agriculture and manufacturing emerging as the country’s main growth engines. New economic data released in 2026 show that real GDP expanded by 2.5% in 2025, improving from 1.6% a year earlier and surpassing pre-pandemic output for the first time.

For many farmers, the results reflect months of favorable weather and sustained work in the fields. Across rural communities, larger harvests have translated into renewed optimism after several difficult seasons marked by drought and lower production.

Agriculture delivered the strongest contribution to economic growth. The sector’s added value increased by 10.3%, accounting for nearly one percentage point of overall GDP growth. Tunisia’s cereal harvest climbed to 19.8 million quintals, well above the previous year’s 11.5 million quintals. Olive oil production surged by 54.5% to around 340,000 tonnes, while citrus production rose by 5.2%. Date production remained the exception, declining by 10.8% during the year.

Manufacturing also returned to positive territory with growth of 3.2% after contracting in the previous year. Mechanical and electrical industries recorded the strongest performance, expanding by 6.2%, followed by food processing at 4.5% and the chemical industry at 3.2%. Textile manufacturers continued to face weaker European demand, leading to another annual decline of 2.6%.

Mining provided another positive signal. Phosphate production increased sharply, helping mining output rise by 24.2%. Construction activity also improved by 3.7%, offering new opportunities for contractors and skilled workers who had experienced several years of slower business.

Tourism continued to support the services sector throughout 2026. Hotels and restaurants benefited from growing visitor numbers, with non-resident arrivals reaching 11.3 million, an increase of 10.4%. Tourist overnight stays climbed by 7.2% to 29.1 million, providing a welcome boost for hospitality employees, local businesses and transport operators in major destinations.

Not every sector shared the same momentum. Financial and insurance activities contracted by 8.2%, largely because lending remained weak and new financial regulations reduced interest income for banks. Business owners seeking easier access to credit continue to face challenges despite the broader economic improvement.

Economic forecasts remain cautiously optimistic. Government projections indicate that GDP growth could accelerate to around 3.3% during 2026, supported by export-oriented manufacturing, stronger mining activity, continued tourism growth and another favorable agricultural season. If weather conditions remain stable and external demand improves, Tunisia could strengthen its recovery further, creating more employment opportunities and reinforcing investor confidence over the coming years.