TUNIS - The state-run company Phosphate Gafsa plans to raise its phosphate exports by 55 percent in 2019 to 4.5 million tonnes, TAP state news agency said on Thursday.

Tunisia aims to raise exports to boost economic growth and provide revenue to revive its faltering economy.

Phosphate exports were hit by repeated protests in the main producing region of Gafsa, where unemployed youth demanding jobs blockaded rail transport. Officials said lower production has caused Tunisia to lose markets and about $1 billion each year.

Phosphate exports are a key source of foreign currency, reserves of which have dropped to levels worth just 73 days of imports. Tunisia produced about 8.2 million tonnes of phosphate in 2010 but output fell after its 2011 revolution.

(Reporting by Tarek Amara; editing by Jason Neely) ((tarek.amara@thomsonreuters.com;))