SUGAR
Since the early 2010s, the OCT has become the sole national operator responsible for the import and distribution of white and brown sugar. It supplies the entire Tunisian territory, serving both household consumption and the requirements of the agri-food industry.
As sugar is a commodity traded on global stock markets, its prices are subject to significant volatility. Global production is largely dominated by Brazil and India, whose output strongly influences international price trends. In this context, the OCT sources its sugar exclusively from certified suppliers recognized for their reliability and compliance with international standards.
The volume of sugar imported by the OCT has shown considerable year-to-year fluctuations, mainly due to price instability on global markets, as well as structural factors related to global supply and local demand, both from households and industry.
White and raw sugar prices have generally maintained a high level in 2022 due to a production decrease in the largest producing and exporting countries
Sugar World Balance
In million tons
| Season | 2021/2020 | 2022/2021 | 2023/2022 | 2023/2024 | 2024/2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production | 168 946 | 172 738 | 177 024 | 181 384 | 175 540 |
| Consumption | 169 708 | 174 774 | 176 531 | 179 972 | 180 421 |
| Deficit / Surplus | -0 762 | -2 036 | +0 493 | +1 412 | -4 881 |
| Imports | 65 097 | 64 693 | 65 380 | 69 119 | 63 324 |
| Exports | 64 332 | 64 012 | 65 519 | 69 635 | 62 661 |
| Final Stock | 102 564 | 101 216 | 101 570 | 97 815 | 93 597 |
| Stock Ratio / Consumption | 60 44% | 57 91% | 57 54% | 54 35% | 51 88% |
Source: Supply and Demand Balances, International Sugar Organization (February 2025)
Origins of Sugar
White Sugar
| Country of Origin | Quantity (tons) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2020 | ||
| Algeria | 102 200 | 52% |
| Tunisia | 24 100 | 12% |
| Brazil | 14 938 | 8% |
| India | 28 800 | 15% |
| United Arab Emirates | 25 700 | 13% |
| Total | 195 738 | 100% |
| Year 2021 | ||
| Algeria | 79 950 | 50% |
| Morocco | 53 650 | 34% |
| Brazil | 16 000 | 10% |
| Tunisia | 9 500 | 6% |
| Total | 158 100 | 100% |
| Year 2022 | ||
| Algeria | 56 000 | 27% |
| India | 83 799 | 41% |
| Brazil | 32 500 | 16% |
| Tunisia | 32 100 | 16% |
| Total | 204 399 | 100% |
| Year 2023 | ||
| Algeria | 108 675 | 45% |
| Guatemala | 26 600 | 11% |
| India | 105 385 | 44% |
| Total | 240 660 | 100% |
| Year 2024 | ||
| Algeria | 132 000 | 47% |
| Brazil | 48 000 | 17% |
| Egypt | 42 056 | 15% |
| France | 8 300 | 3% |
| Netherlands | 25 566 | 9% |
| Poland | 25 500 | 9% |
| Total | 281 422 | 100% |
Raw Sugar
| Country of Origin | Quantity in Tons | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2020 | ||
| Brazil | 170 443 | 100% |
| TOTAL | 170 443 | 100% |
| Year 2021 | ||
| Brazil | 105 397 | 100% |
| TOTAL | 105 397 | 100% |
| Year 2022 | ||
| Brazil | 132 788 | 100% |
| TOTAL | 132 788 | 100% |
| Year 2023 | ||
| Brazil | 56 349 | 100% |
| TOTAL | 56 349 | 100% |
| Year 2024 | ||
| Brazil | 58 362 | 100% |
| TOTAL | 58 362 | 100% |
Retail Selling Price
| Unit | In TND/T | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | OCT Selling Price | Wholesale Price | Retail Price | ||
| OCT Transfer Price | Contributions for social security and participation in the employment fund | The OCT transfer price including contributions for social security and participation in the employment fund | |||
| White sugar destined to households | 1 215 | 100 | 1 315 | 1 340 | 1 400 |
| Packed white sugar destined to households | 1 300 | 100 | 1 400 | 1 440 | 1 520 |
| White sugar destined to artisans | 2 760 | 100 | 2 860 | 2 900 | – |
| White sugar destined to manufacturers | 2 800 | 100 | 2 900 | – | – |
| Molasses | 390 | 0 | 390 | – | – |
Unit : TND/Ton