Red Meat Crisis in Tunisia: A Structural Problem Threatening Food Security

The red meat crisis in Tunisia is no longer a temporary issue, but a structural problem that directly threatens one of the pillars of the country's food security, according to Lotfi Riahi, President of the Tunisian Organization for Consumer Orientation.

A Paradoxical Market

The market is characterized by a striking paradox: a continuous increase in consumer prices, despite the lack of a clear vision of production costs. Additionally, the absence of a reliable digital database to evaluate the size and composition of the national herd makes it difficult to develop policies based on solid data.

A Deep-Rooted Crisis

Riahi believes that the current situation goes beyond a simple imbalance between supply and demand. It reflects a deep-rooted structural crisis marked by a progressive erosion of production capacities. The national herd is experiencing a continuous contraction, linked not only to temporary factors, but also to economic imbalances that force breeders to make constrained choices, such as selling reproductive females.

A Self-Reinforcing Cycle

Paradoxically, the increase in retail prices exacerbates this trend. Far from stimulating production, it contributes to further weakening the productive base, compromising short-term recovery prospects.

A Complex Situation

The situation is further complicated by the lack of control over production costs. While recent declines in feed prices are a positive development, they represent only one component of a broader set of factors, including governance gaps, inadequate technical oversight, and high veterinary services costs. These factors weigh heavily on breeders, limiting their ability to improve productivity and develop their herds.

Dysfunctions in the Distribution Chain

In parallel, dysfunctions in the distribution chain exacerbate imbalances. The multiplication of intermediaries and the absence of effective mechanisms for regulating margins contribute to inflationary price increases, without any real benefit for producers. This imbalance directly penalizes consumers, in a context of declining purchasing power.

Consequences for Consumer Habits

This situation has already had repercussions on consumer habits, with a decline in access to animal proteins. Riahi emphasizes that red meat is not a luxury product, but an essential component of the diet, making its price increase particularly worrying.

Insufficient Public Policies

The approach adopted so far is deemed insufficient. Authorities have primarily relied on temporary measures, such as imports and price interventions, without engaging in structural reforms. Riahi believes that this strategy only postpones the problem while increasing its cost in the medium term.

A Call for a New Approach

Riahi calls for a reorientation of policies towards supporting production, through the protection and development of the national herd, as well as the improvement of productivity. He also advocates for a reform of the feed system to reduce dependence, as well as the reorganization of distribution circuits to ensure greater transparency and limit excessive margins.

A Global Reform of the Sector

"The heart of the problem lies not in the price increase, but in the erosion of production capacities," Riahi insisted, calling for a global reform of the sector rather than a conjunctural management of the crisis.

Preparations for Eid al-Adha

In a separate development, the Minister of Commerce and Export Development announced that preparations for Eid al-Adha are already underway, in coordination with various stakeholders. Authorities aim to strengthen controls in markets, establish price-controlled sales points, and ensure sufficient supply, particularly through direct producer-consumer circuits. Specific measures are also planned to ensure the availability of red meat, including the involvement of the Meat Society and the importation of refrigerated meat to regulate the market.