The trade balance surplus for fisheries products rose by 5.3% to TND 217 million between the end of August 2022 and 2023, according to data released on Saturday by the National Observatory of Agriculture (ONAGRI). Exports of fisheries products stood at 22.5 thousand tonnes worth TND 497 million at the end of August 2023, almost unchanged in value and quantity compared with the same period in 2022. ONAGRI also pointed to a near-stagnation in export prices compared with August 2022 (21.8 D/KG). The most commonly exported species are fish (9.7 thousand tonnes), shellfish (6 thousand tonnes) and canned and semi-canned products (5 thousand tonnes). Tunisian exports of fish products are shipped to 43 destinations. Italy is the leading importer (33%), followed by Libya (16%), Malta (15%) and Spain (12%). The value of imports of fisheries products fell by 3.8% to TND 280 million at the end of August 2023. The quantities imported were down by 8.5% to 43.1 thousand tonnes. Import prices increased slightly compar ed with the same period in 2022, to 6.5 D Kg. 71% of imported quantities are intended for industrialisation (frozen tuna and anchovies), 22% for market supply and 7% for fattening. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse