Seafood market segment

In 2016, the United States was the number two destination for Tunisian exports of HS class 16 of meat, fish and seafood preparations, with $1.734 million. Even though the exports to the U.S. market only accounted for 8.76 percent of Tunisian exports in this class, there is potential for substantial increase. Globally, Italy exports 66 percent of total U.S. imports in meat, fish, and seafood preparations, with France, Macedonia, Algeria, and Tunisia rounding out the top five.

The migration of blue swimming crab in 2014 to Tunisian waters also presents an opportunity for export to the
United States. This is a new fishery, and as crab is not traditionally consumed locally in Tunisia, almost all production is exported. The crab is currently being exported to Asian markets either as an end product or to be repacked primarily for the Southeast Asian markets. Tunisian companies are actively pursuing the United States as a market for this crab. According to the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, in the first 7 months of 2018, Tunisia produced 1,450 tons of blue crab, valued around $3.5 million

Exports from Tunisia of prepared or preserved sardines to the United States in 2016 accounted for only $646,000. Other products in this category were limited to preparations and preserves such as whole or pieced
tuna with only $38,000 to the United States. UN data for export potential to the United States in this market segment reflect a significant opportunity to increase sales of frozen shrimp and prawns, ranking them as the 25th
greatest opportunity for increased exports to the United States. Other opportunities include prepared and preserved sardines, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates, and anchovies.