Tunisia-Why will meat prices be higher during Ramadan? [video]

Head of the Butchers Chamber, Ahmed Amiri voiced concerns today, Wednesday, February 21, 2024, concerning the ongoing discourse on the high prices of red meat in Tunisia. He underscored that the issue is not new and has been aggravated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the system failing to address these challenges effectively.

In his statement to Tunisie Numérique, he explained that the responsibility for the surge in red meat prices does not lie with the chamber but is attributed to mistakes by various stakeholders within the red meat supply chain. He noted that the chamber had anticipated and cautioned about reaching such price levels as early as 2019.

Amiri furthermore criticized the timing of the discussions on red meat price increases just weeks before Ramadan, stating the absence of proactive dialogues aimed at identifying and resolving sectoral issues.

He disclosed that an important meeting is planned for the following Monday at the Ministry of Commerce to explore comprehensive solutions to the sector’s challenges, especially focusing on the production shortfall that significantly contributes to price inflation.

Furthermore, Amiri pointed out the exorbitant prices in animal markets, which have a direct effect on the cost of red meat. He highlighted the collective responsibility of all involved parties to address and manage this situation effectively.