Your questions on importing olive oil.

The bulk price at origin sits around €3.80/kg for Tunisian extra virgin olive oil, and from €3.85/kg for organic. That is significantly cheaper than Bari in Italy (€6.50-7/kg). The final price depends on the category, the vintage, the volume and the chosen incoterm.

Lean on origin benchmarks (Tunisia €3.80-4/kg vs Bari €6.50-7), the volume ordered, the incoterm and the campaign calendar. A recurring commitment or a full container opens up a discount. Request a sample and a COA to frame the quality, then discuss payment terms and tolerances. Always compare on a landed-cost basis, not just the ex-works price.

The price depends on the category (extra virgin, virgin, organic), the vintage and the world harvest, the origin, the variety and the polyphenols, the volume and the packaging (bulk or packaged), the incoterm, the customs duties and the exchange rate. The Tunisian olive campaign (October-December) and the quotas also set the pace of prices.

At origin in 2026: Tunisia around €3.80-4.00/kg, Jaén (Spain) €4.10-4.50, Chania (Greece) €4.30-4.40, Bari (Italy) €6.50-7.00. Tunisia offers the best value for money, which explains why Italy and Spain rebottle part of the Tunisian oil. Final shelf prices then vary greatly by country and positioning.

You start from the cost of the oil (purchase, analyses, transport, filtration losses ~1.8%), add the packaging to obtain the EXW, then the port/ONH fees for the FOB, and finally the freight (less FOPRODEX) and insurance for the CIF. You build in the target margin: bulk historically yields little (~4%), the brand aims for ~30%. Knowing your floor price avoids selling too low.

Calculate your floor price before the discussion and never go below it. Highlight the objective strengths: NYIOOC awards, the high polyphenols of the Chetoui, consistency, traceability, certifications. Play on trade-offs (volume, recurrence, higher deposit, favourable incoterm) rather than on price alone. Real scarcity (EU quota, seasonal campaign) strengthens your position.

The standard bulk MOQ corresponds to one full packaging unit: a flexitank of about 22,000 litres (one 20' container), two 1,000-litre IBCs, or around ten 200-216 litre drums. For a first order, a full container remains the benchmark. The exact threshold is negotiated according to the format and the packaging.

Define your need (category, volume, bulk or packaged), request a sample and a certificate of analysis per batch, then choose an incoterm (FOB or CIF for a first order). Check your country's import documents and the applicable customs duties. The order is secured with a deposit followed by the balance against documents or a confirmed letter of credit.

Yes, sending a sample together with its certificate of analysis (COA) is standard B2B practice. It allows you to validate the sensory profile and the chemical parameters (acidity, peroxide, K270) before committing. Keep this sample as a contractual reference: it will serve as a comparison in the event of a quality dispute when the container arrives.

Verify the ONH export approval, require a certificate of analysis from an IOC-approved laboratory per batch, request the certifications suited to your market (organic, IFS/BRC for retail chains) and a reference sample. Assess supply consistency, transparency on origin and variety, and the ability to meet the agreed incoterm and lead times.

Tolerances define the accepted deviations between the oil ordered and the oil delivered: acidity, peroxide or weight margin, quantity range (for example ±5%). They avoid disputes over minor variations that are unavoidable in a natural product. Set them in the contract with a reference sample and the mention of the approved laboratory that decides in the event of disagreement.

Tunisia, the world's second producer, offers in 2026 a bulk origin price around €3.80-4/kg for an award-winning quality, well below Italy. This is precisely why Italy and Spain rebottle Tunisian oil. For a buyer, sourcing directly in Tunisia removes this intermediary and its margin.

Extra virgin olive oil must have a free acidity less than or equal to 0.80% (expressed as oleic acid), according to the IOC standard and EU regulation. Above 2.0%, the oil is classified as lampante and cannot be marketed as is. Acidity measures the degradation of the fruit: the lower it is, the better the starting freshness.

Extra virgin has an acidity ≤0.80%, a positive fruitiness and no sensory defect: it is the premium category. Virgin tolerates up to 2.0% acidity and slight defects. Lampante exceeds 2.0% or shows marked defects: it cannot be marketed as is and must be refined before consumption.

The COA shows the free acidity (≤0.80% for EVOO), the peroxide value (≤20 mEq O₂/kg), the UV absorbances K232 (≤2.50) and K270 (≤0.22), the ΔK (≤0.01) and sometimes the polyphenols and the sensory panel. Check that it comes from an IOC-approved laboratory and that it matches the delivered batch.

K232 and K270 are ultraviolet absorbance measurements that reveal the oxidation state and the possible presence of refined oil. For an extra virgin, K232 must remain ≤2.50 and K270 ≤0.22, with a ΔK ≤0.01. High values signal an aged, poorly stored or adulterated oil: they are key markers on the COA.

The peroxide value measures the primary oxidation of the oil, and therefore its freshness. For an extra virgin or virgin olive oil, it must remain less than or equal to 20 milliequivalents of oxygen per kilogram (mEq O₂/kg). A low value indicates a fresh, well-preserved oil; a high value reflects the onset of rancidity.

Polyphenols are the antioxidant compounds of olive oil. The health claim authorised by EU regulation 432/2012 (protection of blood lipids against oxidative stress) requires at least 250 mg/kg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives. The Tunisian Chetoui variety often exceeds this threshold, which makes it a differentiating B2B selling point.

The certificate of analysis is your first safeguard: stigmastadienes above 0.05 mg/kg betray a trace of refined oil, high waxes signal pomace, an abnormal ΔK reveals a blend. An approved sensory panel detects defects. Require a COA from an IOC-approved laboratory per batch and keep a contractual reference sample.

A well-preserved extra virgin olive oil generally has a best-before date of 18 to 24 months after packaging. Sheltered from light, heat and air, it retains its qualities longer. Some markets require a minimum residual shelf life on arrival: check this point before shipping.

Chemlali, dominant in the South (Sfax), yields a mild, fruity and fluid oil, ideal for a mass-market profile. The Chetoui of the North (Béja) is pungent, bitter, rich in polyphenols and keeps well. The Oueslati of the Centre offers a balanced, often award-winning profile. The choice depends on the product positioning and the target market.

A 20' container holds about 22,000 litres of olive oil in a flexitank, that is close to 20 tonnes (density 0.913 kg/L). In 1,000-litre IBCs, you load around twenty units; in 200-216 litre drums, around forty. The exact fill depends on the permissible gross weight and the chosen packaging.

Under FOB, the seller delivers the goods loaded on board at the departure port (Radès or Sfax) and the buyer arranges freight and insurance. Under CIF, the seller includes freight and insurance up to the arrival port. FOB gives the buyer control of the transport; CIF simplifies matters by providing a port-delivered price. FOB remains the standard for a first export.

These are incoterms defining who pays and bears the risk at each stage. EXW: ex works, the buyer takes on everything. FOB: goods loaded on board at the departure port. CIF: freight and insurance up to the arrival port. DDP: delivered duty paid at the buyer's premises. Choose according to your command of logistics and the trust between the parties.

The flexitank (about 22,000 litres, one per 20' container) offers the lowest cost per tonne for large volumes. The 1,000-litre IBC makes splitting and handling easier. The 200-216 litre drums suit small batches and premium oils. The choice depends on the volume, the logistics budget and the resale plan.

Transit times vary according to the destination and the shipping line: from a few days for the Western Mediterranean (Marseille) to several weeks toward North America, the Gulf or Asia. Add the port handling at Radès and budget a provision for demurrage. Get quotes from two freight forwarders to compare.

The EUR.1 is a movement certificate that attests the preferential Tunisian origin of goods exported to the European Union. It allows you to benefit from the preferential tariff treatment provided for by the association agreement, notably within the duty-free quota. It is requested from Tunisian customs at export, upon presentation of proof of origin.

The documentary base includes the proforma invoice then the commercial invoice, the packing list, the bill of lading (B/L), the certificate of origin (EUR.1 for the EU, Arab certificate for the Gulf), the certificate of analysis per batch and often a phytosanitary and health certificate. Some markets require additional documents: always check the paperwork specific to the destination country.

The common formats are Marasca or Dorica bottles of 250, 500, 750 ml and 1 L, metal cans of 1 to 5 L and 5 L PET for food service. The choice depends on the market (small premium formats in Japan, cans for food service) and on optimising container fill. Glass conveys premium; metal protects from light.

You need a Tunisian company with a customs code and the export approval issued by the ONH (specifications, via the Ministry of Agriculture). An alternative to get started is to export under a partner's approval through a commission contract. You then need to master batch quality, the documents and the repatriation of proceeds.

The export approval from the National Oil Office (ONH) is mandatory to export olive oil from Tunisia. It is based on specifications processed via the Ministry of Agriculture and notably requires a quality analysis per batch. Without this approval, a company can export only under an approved partner's approval, through a commission contract.

Certification follows the market and the channel. Organic requires Ecocert/CCPB (EU 2018/848) and USDA NOP for the United States. Retail chains and private label almost always require IFS Food or BRCGS. The United States requires FDA registration and the FSVP; the Gulf expects a compliant Arabic label. Kosher and halal remain optional.

As a guide: EU organic audit via Ecocert around €400-950, USDA NOP supplement $500-1,500, IFS Food €4,000-7,000, BRCGS £1,000-1,800, kosher $5,000-15,000, halal $1,000-5,000. FDA registration is free but requires a US agent ($349-858/year). The actual cost depends on the body and the size of the site.

The organic label certifies the production method, not a chemical test: absence of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, controlled by a body such as Ecocert (EU 2018/848) or USDA NOP for the United States. Tunisia has a large organic orchard and exports award-winning organic EVOO. Require the valid organic certificate corresponding to the destination market.

FOPRODEX covers part of the freight (50% by sea, excluding France, Italy and Spain; 70% by air) and of trade fairs (35 to 80%). Tasdir+ finances 50% of prospecting and marketing expenses, capped at $50,000 on an approved business plan. Easy Export reduces export postal shipments. These rates date from 2026 and are.

The European Union grants Tunisia a quota of about 56,700 tonnes per year at zero duty (TRQ 09.4032), beyond which the customs duty becomes high. The certificates are obtained via SICAD and the quota is exhausted every year: you must submit your application very early in the campaign. An increase to 100,000 tonnes was refused (March 2026).

The base duty (MFN) on olive oil is low, on the order of 3.4 to 5 ¢/kg, but the context of US surcharges fluctuated greatly in 2025-2026 (Section 122/301 measures). The exact status must be confirmed with a US customs broker before any quotation. There is no federal VAT, but MPF and HMF fees apply.

With an Arab certificate of origin, Tunisian olive oil benefits from the zero GAFTA duty (versus 5% for non-members). The health certificate must be provided in original. Halal is not mandatory for a 100% vegetable oil and should not be printed by default. VAT varies: 0% in Qatar, 5% in the Emirates, 15% in Saudi Arabia.

Extra virgin olive oil (NCM 1509.20.00) benefits from a 0% duty since March 2025, versus 9% for virgin and the other categories. A batch declared as extra virgin then downgraded at the arrival analysis suffers a double penalty: loss of value and reclassification at 9%. A rigorous pre-shipment analysis is therefore essential.

Arabic is mandatory (bilingual Arabic/English allowed if the contents are identical). Critical point: the production and expiry dates must be engraved, embossed, printed or stamped directly on the packaging, never on a mere sticker, on pain of rejection at the port. Abu Dhabi has also required Nutri-Mark nutritional marking on oils since June 2025.

Canada applies a zero duty (MFN) on olive oil and a 5% GST. Bilingual French/English labelling is required, a natural advantage for a French-speaking Tunisian supplier. The importer bears compliance with the CFIA. Tunisia already holds a notable share of the Quebec market: fine grocery there is receptive to the origin story.

Yes: Tunisian olive oil is not under Russian embargo (neither the country nor code 1509 is targeted). The import duty is about 5% and the food VAT 10%. The real obstacle is payment, due to the de-risking of correspondent banks. It is recommended to denominate the contract in AED or CNY and to obtain a written banking agreement beforehand.

Private label, or OEM, consists in supplying olive oil packaged under the customer's label and brand, rather than the producer's. The supplier handles the oil, the packaging and sometimes the design, while the customer markets it under their own name. It is the preferred route for distributors, emerging brands and retailers launching a range.

Define a positioning (origin, variety, organic or premium), choose the category and the sensory profile, then the packaging (Marasca/Dorica bottle, can, PET) and artwork compliant with the target market. Secure the required certifications (IFS/BRC for retail, organic if needed), register the trademark and validate the regulatory labelling. A Tunisian OEM partner handles the production and co-packing.

The minimum volume of an OEM project depends on the format and the customisation: it is generally higher than a simple bulk purchase, because it mobilises a bottling line, specific labelling and sometimes dedicated bottles. A full container remains the common base. The exact threshold is negotiated according to the packaging, the label and the order frequency.

Private label sells under a customer's label (distributor, retailer): less marketing to carry, regular volumes, but shared margin. An own brand requires investing in awareness and listing, with a potentially higher margin and a long-term asset. Many exporters combine both: bulk and OEM for cash flow, the own brand for value.

Yes, in practice. Purchasing groups and retail chains almost always require an IFS Food or BRCGS food safety certification to list a private label brand. Without it, access to the shelf remains blocked. Plan for this prerequisite and its cost well ahead of any private label negotiation.

Yes, provided it is framed contractually. A serious OEM project includes a confidentiality clause covering the blend, the specifications and the customer's design. Ownership of the brand and the formula stays with the principal. Formalise these points in writing before any detailed exchange of specifications to protect your positioning.

The golden rule: never a container without a firm order, a deposit (often 30%) and the balance against documents, or a letter of credit confirmed by a first-rank bank. On risky markets, favour the confirmed LC and COTUNACE credit insurance (80-90% indemnification). Adapt the level of guarantee to the buyer's reliability and the destination country.

The letter of credit (LC) is a bank undertaking to pay the seller against the presentation of compliant documents. A confirmed LC adds the guarantee of a second bank (usually in the seller's country), which undertakes to pay even if the issuing bank defaults. It is the safest instrument for a first transaction or a payment-risk market.

COTUNACE is the Tunisian export credit insurance body. It covers commercial and political non-payment risk, with an indemnification generally of 80 to 90% of the receivable, for a premium on the order of 0.1 to 0.6% of turnover. It complements, without replacing, contractual safeguards such as the confirmed letter of credit.

Yes, the deposit is a standard practice that commits the buyer and secures the seller before mobilising a container. An amount of 30% at the order, with the balance against documents or by letter of credit, is a classic sharing of risk. The rate is negotiated according to the relationship, the volume and the buyer's track record.

Yes. Olive oil export training covers the ONH approval, the EU quota and the SICAD procedure, the incoterms, the documents, the financing and the subsidies, as well as price setting and negotiation. It is aimed at producers and exporters who want to master the whole chain, from the fruit to the container, and defend their margin internationally.