Price Surge in Several Food Products in July 2025, While Some Fish Prices Decline
Source: National Agriculture Observatory (Onagri)
Overview
In July 2025, a wide range of food items recorded significant price movements on the wholesale market of Bir El Kasaâ. While many vegetables and seafood saw sharp increases despite a growing supply, hundreds of fish varieties posted notable price drops.
Vegetables & Sea‑food: Major Price Increases
| Product | Price Change | July 2025 Price (millimes/kg) | Supply Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potatoes | +37 % | 1 957 mm/kg | ↑ 12 % (2 040 → 2 282 t/month) |
| Chili peppers | +27 % | 1 267 mm/kg (vs. 994 mm/kg a year earlier) | ↓ 6 % (3 045 → 2 875 t) |
| Parsley | +24 % | 1 025 mm/kg | – |
| Tomatoes | +23 % | 882 mm/kg | – |
| Cucumbers | +9 % | 1 272 mm/kg | – |
| Sparids “sbars” | +65 % | 5 025 mm/kg | – |
| Sea bream “Chourou” | +33 % | 4 634 mm/kg | – |
| Cuttlefish | +31 % | 25 330 mm/kg | – |
| Red mullet | +26 % | 36 832 mm/kg | – |
Key take‑away: Even with a 12 % rise in potato supply, prices surged dramatically, indicating strong demand pressure or cost‑pass‑through effects across the sector.
Fish Prices: Notable Declines
| Fish variety | Price Change | July 2025 Price (millimes/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Trawl‑caught “Morjène Karkara” (pageot) | ‑7 % | 4 664 mm/kg |
| Sardines | ‑9 % | 3 334 mm/kg |
| Mackerel “Ghezal” | ‑37 % | 12 353 mm/kg |
These declines contrast sharply with the upward trend seen in other marine species, suggesting species‑specific supply gluts or shifting consumer preferences.
What the Data Reveal
- Supply vs. price dynamics: The potato market illustrates that higher volumes do not automatically curb price hikes when demand outpaces supply or when production costs rise.
- Volatile seafood market: Certain high‑value fish (e.g., sparids, sea bream) experienced double‑digit price jumps, while more abundant species like sardines and mackerel fell sharply, highlighting price elasticity within the fishery sector.
- Potential drivers: Seasonal factors, input cost inflation, and export demand may be fueling the observed price spikes, whereas over‑fishing or improved catches could explain the price drops for sardines and mackerel.
SEO‑Friendly Summary
July 2025 wholesale prices in Bir El Kasaâ saw potatoes rise 37 %, chili peppers 27 %, and several seafood items (sparids, sea bream, cuttlefish, red mullet) climb between 26 % and 65 %. Conversely, pageot, sardines, and mackerel prices fell, with mackerel dropping 37 %.
These trends, reported by the National Agriculture Observatory (Onagri), underscore a mixed price environment for Tunisian food commodities, where supply growth does not guarantee price stability and species‑specific market forces dictate fish price movements.
For more detailed statistics and monthly updates, visit the Onagri website or contact the Bir El Kasaâ wholesale market authority.
