(TAP) - Tunisia's trade at constant prices regained pre-pandemic levels.

Exports in volume showed a strong rebound of 16.8%, compared to February 2021, while imports were up by only 2.9%, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

The coverage rate thus gained 9.6 points to 80.9% in March, the same source said, adding that these data take into account the impact of seasonality, working days and to particular calendar events, be they set, such as national holidays or others, such as Ramadan or religious holidays. Prices remain on a positive slope with moderate rates, 1.9% for imported products and 0.7% for exported products, after a further decline at the end of last year explained mainly by the fall in energy prices during the resurgence of the COVID-19.

The increase in export volumes is mainly due to the strong rebound in the energy sector sales (+329.6%), as well as the noticeable increase in exports from the electrical industries sector (+19.5%).

Only exports of the textile/clothing sector showed a slight decrease of 0.2%, compared to February.

Imports in volume grew by 2.9% in March, mainly due to a rise by 12.6% in purchases of raw materials and semi-finished products.

Likewise, after successive drops for two months, imports of consumer goods were up by 11.6%, while the volumes of food and energy purchases fell by 14.4% and 25.9%, respectively.

Excluding energy, trade volumes in March exceeded their pre-health restriction levels (i.e. those of February 2020).

Exports rose by 10.9% and imports by 6.7% in monthly variation.

Prices (excluding energy) posted an increase of 0.1% in March for exports and 1.1% for imports, which led to a fall of one point to 96.4% in terms of trade excluding energy.