Approved aquaculture investment in Tunisia falls 60% after exceptional 2025 surge

Approved aquaculture investment in Tunisia fell by 60% year on year during the first eight months of 2026. Projects approved by the Agricultural Investment Promotion Agency (APIA) totalled TND 23.5 million, equivalent to around EUR 7.0 million, compared with TND 58.9 million — EUR 17.6 million — approved between January and August 2025.

The figure contrasts with TND 45.3 million in investment declared by promoters by the end of August, equivalent to around EUR 13.5 million. The gap indicates that a significant share of projects was still under assessment or awaiting access to APIA-managed incentives.

By the end of September, declared aquaculture investment had risen to TND 75 million, around EUR 22.4 million, while the approved total remained at TND 23.5 million. In other words, the value of projects submitted increased, but this was not matched by further approvals in the aggregated data.

The trend marks a reversal from 2025, when approved aquaculture investment reached TND 88.1 million, approximately EUR 26.3 million, more than three times the level recorded in 2024.

The decline does not, by itself, demonstrate lower production or a structural loss of investor interest. It may reflect the timing of approvals, the unusually large size of projects approved in 2025, or delays in permits and financing. Without a breakdown by project number, governorate and activity, the figure should be read as a sign of slower approved investment.