Quite often, poultry displays in Tunisian supermarkets take on a new look: whole chickens have almost vanished from the shelves.
In their place, only cut-up pieces are sold at high prices. A simple change of the market? Not exactly. Behind this trend lies a well-planned strategy to bypass the state-imposed price cap.
Whole Chicken Price Capped at 8.500 DT/kg
To curb increasing prices, the government set a price limit of 8.500 dinars per kilogram for whole chickens. This measure was meant to protect Tunisians’ purchasing power, but some retailers seem to have discovered a way around it.
In some poultry shops and supermarkets, whole chickens have become nearly impossible to find. Instead, consumers are offered drumsticks, chicken breasts, thighs, and other cut-up portions—sold at much higher prices.
A Disguised Price Surge: Up to +103% Increase
Here are the prices displayed this past weekend in a major supermarket in the capital:
Chicken upper thighs: 13.950 DT/kg
Marinated drumsticks: 14.850 DT/kg
Chicken drumsticks: 13.800 DT/kg
Chicken breasts: 17.300 DT/kg
Compared to the regulated price of 8.500 DT/kg for whole chickens, this represents a price increase of 62% to 103%, depending on the cut.
The Consumer: The Biggest Loser
By cutting up the chickens, retailers avoid price regulations, as these cuts are considered “prepared products.” The result is simple: higher profits for sellers but reduced purchasing power for Tunisians.
Consumers are left with no option: with no whole chickens available, they are forced to buy more expensive cuts—just as demand spikes during Ramadan.
Extra Pressure on Families
This situation puts even more financial strain on Tunisian households. While cutting up chicken may seem trivial, its impact on expenses is significant, especially for large families.
The disappearance of whole chickens is not just a logistical change. It’s a commercial adaptation to a regulation that was supposed to protect consumers.
The Outcome:
Regulations are bypassed, profit margins soar, and once again, Tunisian citizens foot the bill.
