Tunisia’s Trade Ministry Reports Massive Seizures During the First Third of Ramadan
Ramzi Trabelsi, Director of the Observatory of Supply and Prices at the Ministry of Trade and Export Development, disclosed on Monday, 2 March 2026 the results of inspections carried out during the first third of the holy month.
Key figures seized
| Product | Quantity seized |
|---|---|
| Subsidised cereal derivatives | > 200 tonnes |
| Sugar | 13.5 tonnes |
| Subsidised vegetable oil | 16 622 litres |
| White meat & fish | 327 kg |
| Fruits & vegetables | 7.5 tonnes |
| – of which bananas (smuggled) | 2.2 tonnes |
| Eggs | > 17 000 units |
| Other assorted goods | – |
“Our control brigades have successfully intercepted a wide range of subsidised and illegal products, protecting both consumers and the national budget,” Trabelsi said during a telephone interview on Radio Nationale.
What the numbers mean
- 200 + tonnes of subsidised grain products represent a significant portion of the market that would otherwise be sold at inflated prices.
- 13.5 tonnes of sugar and 16 622 litres of vegetable oil are among the most heavily subsidised staples, making their illegal trade a priority for authorities.
- The seizure of 327 kg of white meat and fish helps curb the black‑market circulation of protein sources.
- 7.5 tonnes of fruits and vegetables, including 2.2 tonnes of smuggled bananas, highlight ongoing attempts to bypass import controls.
- More than 17 000 eggs were confiscated, preventing price spikes during the fasting period.
Additional actions
The Ministry also reported the closure of 20 commercial establishments found to be repeatedly violating price‑control regulations.
Read the full report
Ramadan: 108 tonnes seized in ten days and 20 shops closed
Source: La Presse (Tunisia), 1 March 2026
