## Company Profile SOCIETE MARITIME TUNISHIP — freight forwarder based in Tunisia (lead: Hassen Younsi, General & Sales Manager). Listed on ForwardersPages; offers maritime forwarding, customs clearance, container consolidation, and export services for Tunisian shippers (agricultural exporters such as olive oil, citrus, dates). Public profile/scale not disclosed; operates from Tunisia’s main gateway (Radès) and serves exporters to EU, North America and MENA markets. ## Pain Points 1) Surge in olive‑oil export volumes (2025/26 campaign) is creating capacity and booking pressure for Tunisian forwarders: ONAGRI reports exports +50% y/y in early 2026. Tight EU duty‑free quota (56,700 t) is effectively filled and may limit tariff‑free shipments into the EU, forcing exporters to find alternative markets or more complex tariff planning. 2) Port of Radès operational fragility and episodic congestion (reports of up to 21‑day delays in 2025; ongoing vessel waiting times in 2026) create delivery unpredictability and demurrage/penalty risk for containerised food shipments. Forwarders need visibility, contingency routings and buyer coordination to avoid lost revenue on low‑margin cargo. 3) Freight‑rate volatility and higher baseline FAKs (Asia→Tunisia FAKs reported in 2026) plus seasonality mean export economics are tight (olive oil price pressure). Exporters require route/market optimisation and buyer matching to preserve margins — forwarders must present value‑added commercial channels, not just shipping. (How Tridge Ark helps: provides an AI‑driven delivery channel that can originate buyers/sellers, manage documentation and sourcing decisions, and coordinate alternate routings/market matches to move volumes quickly and with price transparency.) ## Intel Summary === MULTI-DIMENSION RESEARCH === === 1. COMMODITY TRENDS – TUNISIAN OLIVE OIL EXPORTS, EU DEMAND & PRICE MOVEMENTS (2025/26 INTO 2026) === **Export volumes & growth (2025/26 season)** - ONAGRI data for the first 3 months of the 2025/26 olive oil campaign (Nov 2025–Jan 2026): - Exports: **130.9 thousand tonnes**, vs **84.1 thousand tonnes** a year earlier → **+55.7% y/y**. ([news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com](https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/tunisian-olive-oil-exports-up-55-7-in-the-first-three-months-of-the-2025-2026-season/?utm_source=openai)) - Average export price in January 2026: **11.94 TND/kg**, down from **12.33 TND/kg** in Jan 2025 → **‑3.2% y/y** in dinar terms. ([news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com](https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/tunisian-olive-oil-exports-up-55-7-in-the-first-three-months-of-the-2025-2026-season/?utm_source=openai)) - The EU remains the dominant destination with **55.4%** of volume; North America 21.1%, Asia 12.1%, Africa 7.5%. ([news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com](https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/tunisian-olive-oil-exports-up-55-7-in-the-first-three-months-of-the-2025-2026-season/?utm_source=openai)) - Extending to the first 4 months (Nov 2025–Feb 2026), ONAGRI figures cited in Tunisian and Italian press: - Exported volume: **184.3 thousand tonnes**, **+49.6%** vs same period 2024/25. ([ansa.it](https://www.ansa.it/canale_terraegusto/notizie/business/2026/03/25/tunisia-export-di-olio-doliva-in-forte-crescita-ricavi-a-670-milioni-di-euro_1398bc07-501b-49fa-bbb1-d6138b7227ec.html?utm_source=openai)) - Export revenue over those 4 months reported around **€670 million**. ([ansa.it](https://www.ansa.it/canale_terraegusto/notizie/business/2026/03/25/tunisia-export-di-olio-doliva-in-forte-crescita-ricavi-a-670-milioni-di-euro_1398bc07-501b-49fa-bbb1-d6138b7227ec.html?utm_source=openai)) - USDA ERS global outlook (MY 2025/26): - Global olive oil production forecast **3.3 million tonnes**. - Tunisia forecast **0.43 million tonnes** (430,000 t) – near‑record output, sharply higher vs 2024/25. ([ers.usda.gov](https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/outlooks/113678/OCS-26a.pdf?v=84404&utm_source=openai)) **EU demand & trade relationship** - USDA FAS EU olive oil outlook (2025 update): - Tunisia remains the **largest non‑EU supplier**, averaging **>75%** of extra‑EU olive oil imports in recent years. ([apps.fas.usda.gov](https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=EU+Olive+Oil+Outlook+2025_Madrid_European+Union_E42025-0035.pdf&utm_source=openai)) - After two years of drought‑reduced EU production, EU still relies heavily on imports in 2024/25 and into 2025/26, though increased domestic supply is tempering import growth. ([ers.usda.gov](https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/outlooks/113678/OCS-26a.pdf?v=84404&utm_source=openai)) - EU import quota (tariff‑free) for Tunisian olive oil in 2026: - Basic quota under the EU–Tunisia Association Agreement: **56,700 tonnes/year** at **0% duty**. ([europarl.europa.eu](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2026-000270_EN.html?utm_source=openai)) - Commission monitoring note for January and June 2026 shows that in **Jan 2026 alone almost the entire 56,700 t quota was already allocated**, with just **19 kg** remaining unused (quota fill rate **~99.9997%** for that window). ([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/document/download/7c241567-55fc-42ed-8add-9701b381e602_en?filename=tunisian-olive-oil-import-quota-2026-01-23_en.pdf&prefLang=ga&utm_source=openai)) - Tunisian authorities have **formally requested** increasing this zero‑duty quota to **100,000 t/year**, triggering concern among some EU MEPs citing import prices **below €4/kg** and pressure on EU producer incomes (Italy, Greece, Spain). ([europarl.europa.eu](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2026-000270_EN.html?utm_source=openai)) **Price movements (late 2024–2026)** - Tunisian export price slump during 2024/25: - EP written question notes that Tunisian export prices fell from **€4.2/kg in Nov 2024 to €2.8/kg in Jan 2025**, partly linked to the collapse of trader Bioliva Med. ([europarl.europa.eu](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025-004026_EN.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Recovery / current levels (2025/26): - ONAGRI’s Jan 2026 average export price: **11.94 TND/kg** (~**€3.5–3.6/kg** at ~3.3–3.4 TND/€), still lower than a year earlier in dinar but notably above the Jan 2025 trough in euros. ([news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com](https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/tunisian-olive-oil-exports-up-55-7-in-the-first-three-months-of-the-2025-2026-season/?utm_source=openai)) - Milling MEA cites ONAGRI: as of **Feb 2026**, global benchmark olive oil price around **US$6,150/tonne** (≈ **US$6.15/kg**, **€5.5–5.7/kg**), with Tunisia facing **strong volumes but weaker revenues** due to lower prices vs the 2023–24 spike. ([millingmea.com](https://millingmea.com/tunisias-olive-oil-exports-drop-amid-falling-prices/?utm_source=openai)) - EU market commentary indicates EU extra‑virgin prices rose about **+78% between 2022 and 2024**, then fell **~23% in 2025** as production partially recovered; prices in early 2026 are off the peak but still historically elevated. ([ers.usda.gov](https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/outlooks/113678/OCS-26a.pdf?v=84404&utm_source=openai)) **Demand conditions & competitiveness in the EU in 2026** - USDA ERS and FAS: - EU olive oil production in MY 2025/26 forecast around **2.1 million tonnes**, up vs 2023/24 but still modest given structural issues (climate, old groves). ([ers.usda.gov](https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/outlooks/113678/OCS-26a.pdf?v=84404&utm_source=openai)) - EU consumption is also forecast to rise ~**7%** in MY 2025/26, supported by normalization of prices from the 2023–24 spike. ([ers.usda.gov](https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/outlooks/113678/OCS-26a.pdf?v=84404&utm_source=openai)) - For Tunisia specifically in 2025/26: - High domestic production + strong EU and US demand = **robust export volumes**, but **unit prices remain under pressure** relative to 2023–24 highs. ([millingmea.com](https://millingmea.com/tunisias-olive-oil-exports-drop-amid-falling-prices/?utm_source=openai)) - Currency: Tunisian dinar weakness vs euro/dollar in 2025–26 improves **price competitiveness** into the EU, partially offsetting lower world prices for local producers. ([millingmea.com](https://millingmea.com/tunisias-olive-oil-exports-drop-amid-falling-prices/?utm_source=openai)) **Key signals for 2026** - **Volume story is bullish**: Tunisia is on track for one of its biggest export campaigns ever (430,000 t production forecast; exports in first 4 months already near 185,000 t). ([tuniscope.com](https://www.tuniscope.com/article/427934/economie/business/huile-d-olive-084409?utm_source=openai)) - **Price story is mixed**: compared with Jan 2025 lows, prices have recovered, but EU import prices around/below **€4/kg** and world benchmarks ~US$6,150/t indicate a structurally lower plateau vs the 2023–24 spike. ([millingmea.com](https://millingmea.com/tunisias-olive-oil-exports-drop-amid-falling-prices/?utm_source=openai)) - EU policy constraint: the **56,700 t duty‑free quota is effectively binding in 2026**; additional volumes into the EU face MFN tariffs unless the quota is expanded – a central Tunisian lobbying objective this year. ([europarl.europa.eu](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2026-000270_EN.html?utm_source=openai)) **Section 1 sources:** ([news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com](https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/tunisian-olive-oil-exports-up-55-7-in-the-first-three-months-of-the-2025-2026-season/?utm_source=openai)) === 2. MARKET EVENTS – MEDITERRANEAN CONTAINER FREIGHT, TUNISIA/RADÈS VOLUMES & DISRUPTIONS (2024–2026) === **Container freight rates touching Tunisia (2026)** - MSC FAK (Freight All Kinds) base rates effective **March 2026** for cargo from Far East (incl. Japan, Korea, SE Asia) to North Africa: - For Tunisia: **US$4,600 per 20'**, **US$6,600 per 40'**. - Rates include **Global Fuel Surcharge (GFS) US$54/TEU** and ECA surcharges (**US$15/TEU** for Med destinations). ([container-news.com](https://container-news.com/msc-announces-new-fak-rates-from-far-east-to-europe-mediterranean-north-africa-and-black-sea/?utm_source=openai)) - Compared with early‑2024 freight levels (noted in industry commentary), these March 2026 FAKs are **significantly lower than 2021–22 peaks** but still **well above pre‑COVID 2019 levels**, reflecting lingering structural cost inflation and supply chain risk premiums (Red Sea, fuel, IMO rules). ([container-news.com](https://container-news.com/msc-announces-new-fak-rates-from-far-east-to-europe-mediterranean-north-africa-and-black-sea/?utm_source=openai)) **Port of Radès – container volumes & performance** - TAP report on H1 2024 performance (Port of Radès – Tunisia’s main container gateway): - Container traffic **+17% y/y in H1 2024** vs H1 2023. ([tap.info.tn](https://www.tap.info.tn/en/Portal-Economy/17821427-rades-port?utm_source=openai)) - Roll‑on/roll‑roll traffic **‑3%** over same period. ([tap.info.tn](https://www.tap.info.tn/en/Portal-Economy/17821427-rades-port?utm_source=openai)) - Authorities link the container growth to process reforms, digitalisation and improved handling, although starting from a low base. ([tap.info.tn](https://www.tap.info.tn/en/Portal-Economy/17821427-rades-port?utm_source=openai)) - Recent congestion & delays: - Sept 2025: Tunisian business leaders reported **up to 21‑day delays** due to congestion at Radès, with significant financial losses for importers and exporters. ([portseurope.com](https://www.portseurope.com/tunisias-rades-port-sees-21-day-congestion-delay/?utm_source=openai)) - Live congestion metrics from a maritime analytics provider (2026 view): - For Radès, recent congestion index data show **vessel waiting times ranging up to ~10 days and yard occupancy in double‑digit “stress” levels**, though not as extreme as the 21‑day peak in late 2025. ([econdb.com](https://www.econdb.com/maritime/ports/TN%20RDS/Rades/congestion/?utm_source=openai)) - Local business commentary (press and social channels) highlights chronic issues: **limited berth capacity, aging equipment, bureaucratic customs procedures, and corruption risks**, which increase logistics lead times and costs for containerized exports like olive oil. ([portseurope.com](https://www.portseurope.com/tunisias-rades-port-sees-21-day-congestion-delay/?utm_source=openai)) **Wider Mediterranean / North Africa supply‑chain environment (2025–26)** - While Tunisia‑specific container rate series are sparse, major carriers’ FAK announcements show: - 2025–26 saw **rate volatility linked to Red Sea diversions** (Suez risk premiums) and **seasonal equipment imbalances**, but by Q1 2026, FAKs on Asia–Med routes had **stabilized at mid‑range levels** – above 2019 but below 2021–22 crisis highs. ([container-news.com](https://container-news.com/msc-announces-new-fak-rates-from-far-east-to-europe-mediterranean-north-africa-and-black-sea/?utm_source=openai)) - For Tunisian exporters (olive oil, citrus, dates): - A 40' container to EU Med at **US$6,600 in Mar 2026** represents a **material but manageable cost line** relative to today’s high unit-value cargoes (e.g., olive oil at roughly US$5.5–6.0/kg). On a 40' holding ~24 tonnes of oil, freight is approximately **US$275/tonne** – roughly **4–5%** of cargo value at current prices. ([millingmea.com](https://millingmea.com/tunisias-olive-oil-exports-drop-amid-falling-prices/?utm_source=openai)) **Key market‑event signals for 2026** - **Freight rates**: Asia–Tunisia FAKs in March 2026 confirm that container costs remain structurally higher than pre‑COVID, but are **not at crisis levels**, allowing Tunisian exporters to plan with some stability. ([container-news.com](https://container-news.com/msc-announces-new-fak-rates-from-far-east-to-europe-mediterranean-north-africa-and-black-sea/?utm_source=openai)) - **Port performance**: Radès saw **volume growth in 2024** but remains **operationally fragile**, with documented **congestion and multi‑week delays in 2025** and elevated waiting times still visible in 2026 congestion indices. Exporters of time‑sensitive food products must **plan buffer lead times and possibly consider alternative ports or routings** where practical. ([econdb.com](https://www.econdb.com/maritime/ports/TN%20RDS/Rades/congestion/?utm_source=openai)) **Section 2 sources:** ([econdb.com](https://www.econdb.com/maritime/ports/TN%20RDS/Rades/congestion/?utm_source=openai)) === 3. TIMING SIGNALS – NORTH AFRICA/TUNISIA HARVEST & EXPORT CALENDAR (OLIVES, CITRUS, DATES) === **Olive harvest & export calendar – Tunisia (typical, with 2025/26 context)** - Climatic pattern: Mediterranean winter harvest; Tunisia’s main olive harvest generally runs **November–February**, sometimes stretching into **March** in cooler or late years, with milling and bulk export flows extending thereafter. General olive agronomy and Mediterranean calendars corroborate this winter pattern. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive?utm_source=openai)) - For the **2025/26 Tunisian campaign**: - ONAGRI defines the olive oil marketing year as starting **November 1**. Export monitoring for **Nov 2025–Jan 2026** and **Nov 2025–Feb 2026** confirms that **peak export shipments are already occurring in Q1 (Jan–Mar) 2026**, immediately following harvest. ([news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com](https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/tunisian-olive-oil-exports-up-55-7-in-the-first-three-months-of-the-2025-2026-season/?utm_source=openai)) - Given forecast high production (430,000 t MY 2025/26), **export activity is likely to remain strong through at least mid‑2026**, with a seasonal taper as we approach the next harvest. ([ers.usda.gov](https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/outlooks/113678/OCS-26a.pdf?v=84404&utm_source=openai)) **Citrus harvest & export season – Tunisia (2025/26 into 2026)** - In North Africa, citrus (oranges, mandarins) are typically harvested from **late autumn through winter**: - For Tunisia and neighboring countries, main harvest period runs **November–March**, with **export peak in December–February** when EU and regional demand is strongest. (These timings are consistent across regional agronomic and trade references, even if individual 2026‑specific articles are sparse.) ([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/document/download/37bdfbd3-374f-4264-9b36-38cfa483921e_en?filename=agrifood-tunisia_en.pdf&prefLang=de&utm_source=openai)) - Implication for 2026: - By **May 2026**, Tunisia is generally at the **tail end of its fresh citrus export window**, shifting focus more to processed products or late varieties. The **next fresh export window will open again around Nov–Dec 2026**. **Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) harvest & export season – Tunisia** - For Tunisia and broader North Africa, date harvest is concentrated in **autumn**: - Typical harvest window: **October–December**, with **export flows peaking from Q4 through Q1**, aligning with demand for religious and year‑end holidays in MENA and Europe. - Stocks allow exports to continue at a **lower but steady rate through the rest of the year**, but pricing and availability are most favorable right after harvest and ahead of Ramadan where applicable; in 2026, Ramadan falls in **February–March** (Islamic year 1447–1448), bringing a demand spike for dates in early 2026. (Ramadan timing cross‑checked via 2026 Islamic calendar sources.) ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Tunisia?utm_source=openai)) **North Africa – generalized 2026 agricultural calendar anchor points** - **Olives**: harvest Nov–Feb; milling & bulk export peak Dec–Apr. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive?utm_source=openai)) - **Citrus**: harvest and fresh export peak roughly Nov–Mar, with minor variation by variety and micro‑climate. ([agriculture.ec.europa.eu](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/document/download/37bdfbd3-374f-4264-9b36-38cfa483921e_en?filename=agrifood-tunisia_en.pdf&prefLang=de&utm_source=openai)) - **Dates**: harvest Oct–Dec; export peak Oct–Mar, with specific spikes oriented to Ramadan demand in importing markets. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Tunisia?utm_source=openai)) **Timing implications for 2026 export strategy (Tunisia)** - As of **May 2026**: - Olive oil: we are in the **mid‑campaign export phase** for the 2025/26 crop – still strong shipping window to EU and US through mid‑year. - Citrus: **fresh export season is winding down**; new‑season citrus will not be available until late 2026. - Dates: **post‑Ramadan demand softening** but exports continue from stored 2025 crop; next harvest will start around **October 2026**. **Section 3 sources:** ([news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com](https://news-tunisia.tunisienumerique.com/tunisian-olive-oil-exports-up-55-7-in-the-first-three-months-of-the-2025-2026-season/?utm_source=openai))