Tunisian Export Subsidies: FOPRODEX and Tasdir+

In brief. Tunisia supports its olive oil exporters through several schemes. FOPRODEX funds 50% of sea freight (packaged and bulk oil, organic and conventional) — but excludes France, Italy and Spain — and 70% of air freight (packaged, all destinations). Tasdir+ covers 50% of prospecting/marketing expenses, capped at $50,000. The result: a lighter delivered cost on markets outside Southern Europe, and therefore a more competitive price for the importer.

These subsidies are not just a Tunisian matter: by reducing the exporter's logistics cost, they can loosen the delivered price on the buyer's side, especially for distant destinations. Here is how the main schemes work — figures are dated and to be re-checked at the source.

FOPRODEX: freight coverage

FOPRODEX (Export Promotion Fund) is the central scheme. It covers a share of the export freight:

FOPRODEX component	Coverage rate	Scope
Sea freight	50%	Packaged AND bulk oil, organic and conventional — excluded: France, Italy, Spain
Air freight	70%	Packaged oil, all destinations
Trade shows	35–40% (individual); 80% (collective, cap 50,000 TND)	Participation in international trade shows

The key takeaway: the 50% sea freight coverage aims to open new markets — hence the exclusion of France, Italy and Spain, already historic outlets. The subsidy therefore pushes exports towards Canada, the United States, the Gulf, Northern Europe and emerging markets.

Why France, Italy and Spain are excluded

These three countries are excluded from the sea freight component because they are already the top outlets for Tunisian oil — Spain (33.6%) and Italy (19.5%) alone capture more than half of exports. The purpose of the subsidy is diversification: to support the conquest of less-served markets, not to reinforce already massive flows.

For a French, Italian or Spanish importer, this changes little about the origin price: Tunisia remains the most competitive at equivalent extra virgin quality (see the price observatory). It is mainly outside these three markets that the freight subsidy can be reflected in the quotation.

Tasdir+: support for prospecting

Tasdir+ funds the commercial effort upstream of the sale:

• 50% of prospecting and marketing expenses (missions, communication, commercial compliance…).
• Cap of $50,000 per company, based on an approved business plan.

Concretely, Tasdir+ helps the exporter fund its presence on a new market: studies, travel, participation in tenders, adaptation of the offer. A well-supported exporter is a more solid and more sustainable partner for the buyer.

The other useful schemes

Beyond FOPRODEX and Tasdir+, several supports round out the landscape:

• Easy Export — 50% reduction on export postal shipments (CEPEX × Poste). Useful for samples and small parcels.
• PAMPAT 2 (UNIDO / SECO) — support for Tunisian terroir products.
• CBI (Netherlands) — free market studies and export coaching towards Europe.
• FOPRODEX trade shows — up to 80% in collective participation (cap 50,000 TND), valuable for a show like SIAL Paris.

These schemes can be combined according to each program's rules: a structured exporter often combines freight, prospecting and trade show support.

What these subsidies change for an importer

• Lighter delivered price — on eligible destinations (outside FR/IT/ES), the freight coverage can be reflected in the quotation.
• More solid supplier — a supported exporter invests in quality, certification and the long-term relationship.
• Easier access — trade show/prospecting subsidies multiply the points of contact (SIAL, Gulfood, PLMA…).
• Watch the scope — the sea freight subsidy excludes France, Italy and Spain: to factor into the comparison of offers.

The mistake to avoid

Believing these subsidies transform the origin price. They mainly act on freight and the commercial cost, not on the bulk price at origin, which remains from ~€3.80/kg. For a fair quote, always break down your delivered cost line by line and ask your supplier whether a freight subsidy applies to your destination.

FAQ

What is FOPRODEX?

FOPRODEX is the Tunisian Export Promotion Fund. It covers 50% of sea freight (packaged and bulk oil, organic and conventional, excluding France/Italy/Spain), 70% of air freight (packaged, all destinations) and 35 to 80% of trade show costs.

Why are France, Italy and Spain excluded from the freight subsidy?

Because they are already the top outlets for Tunisian oil. The purpose of the subsidy is diversification towards new markets, not the reinforcement of already massive flows. The exclusion concerns only the sea freight component.

What does Tasdir+ fund?

Tasdir+ covers 50% of prospecting and marketing expenses for export, with a cap of $50,000 per company, based on an approved business plan. It helps fund presence on a new market: studies, missions, adaptation of the offer.

Do these subsidies lower the price of oil?

Not the price at origin, which remains from ~€3.80/kg. They mainly reduce freight and the commercial cost, which can lighten the delivered price on eligible destinations. Always break down your delivered cost line by line.

Can a European importer benefit from these subsidies?

Indirectly. An importer outside France/Italy/Spain (Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands…) may see the freight coverage reflected in the quotation. For France, Italy and Spain, the sea freight subsidy does not apply, but the origin price remains very competitive (see the price observatory).

What other supports exist for exporting Tunisian olive oil?

Besides FOPRODEX and Tasdir+: Easy Export (−50% postal shipments), PAMPAT 2 (terroir products), CBI (free Europe studies and coaching) and the FOPRODEX trade show subsidy (up to 80% collective). They combine according to each program's own rules.

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Want a quotation that factors in logistics? Request a dated quote: we specify the format, the incoterm and, depending on your destination, the possible impact of freight subsidies within 24-48h. Track prices on the price observatory and compare origins on the comparison.

Article in English. Schemes and rates are dated (July 2026) and; no data fabricated, values taken from public sources (decision 07/03/2025, E-FOPRODEX, CEPEX).