Tunisia is reaching an agreement to increase its export quota to Italy

The Tunisian diplomatic mission in Rome announced on 30 October 2026 an agreement with EU representatives to increase the share of maritime fishing exports, following negotiations and joint technical meetings held in the Italian capital. The official Tunisian or European authorities have so far not disclosed the exact figures for the newly planned increase in this share.

The Italian market holds the largest share of Tunisian seafood exports, accounting for 34% of the total value of these exports up to July 2026. This market is becoming vital to Tunisian maritime export efforts due to the continuing demand for fresh and frozen marine products.

The roots of the crisis lie in an Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty directing its suppliers to suspend the purchase of Tunisian red shrimp until the end of 2026, claiming that Tunisia exceeded its annual quota of 36 tonnes after the European system registered shipments crossing the 50 tonne barrier. These measures are based on the recommendations of the General Fisheries Authority for the Mediterranean of the Food and Agriculture Organization, together with the requirements of European Regulation No 1005 of 2008 on combating illegal and unregulated fishing.

Tunisia is preparing to receive a European technical delegation on 16 November 2026 to carry out inspection and follow-up tasks including health, veterinary compliance and cooling chain conditions in ports and local wholesale markets, in preparation for the installation of new measures and ensuring orderly export traffic between the two sides.