Head of the Consumer Defense Organization, Ammar Daya remarked today that the first week of Ramadan typically witnesses a surge in consumer demand, leading to some initial confusion before things settle back to normal.
In a statement to Tunisie Numérique, Daya noted that this year, the organization has received numerous complaints regarding the price hikes of various items, notably red meat, which reached unexpectedly high consumer prices. This has led to a prominent shift towards white meat, which stays available and relatively affordable for Tunisian shoppers.
Daya furthermore mentioned that despite the stable price of white meat at approximately 8 dinars per kilogram, demand has dropped. This reluctance to buy is largely attributed to the decreased purchasing power of Tunisians, which has made it challenging for many to cope with the rising costs, despite the price stability of other goods.
Regarding the increase in vegetable and grain prices, Daya emphasised specific rises in the costs of peppers and tomatoes. These hikes are largely due to their status as non-seasonal vegetables, which see increased consumption during Ramadan. Moreover, their market prices are closely linked to the supply and demand dynamic.
Daya highlighted ongoing efforts to moderate these price increases and to seek price stabilization, admitting that certain practices deviating from the norm could lead to further price escalations.