Finding Sugar in Bulk, One‑Kilogram Packs, or Even Professional 5‑Kilogram Bags Requires Getting Up at the Crack of Dawn!
This essential ingredient for desserts, cakes, and pastries has become a scarce commodity since the onset of Ramadan.
The Dilemma for Honest Citizens
Many upright citizens refused to join the frenzied buying rush on the eve of Ramadan, trusting the officials’ assurances that the market would be well‑supplied. The authorities had promised that Tunisian markets would receive enough sugar and that no ingredient would be lacking.
Consequently, a large number of honest shoppers:
- Did not hoard sugar at home.
- Purchased only reasonable quantities that met their actual needs.
- Avoided adding fuel to the speculation frenzy that continues to hit us hard.
Result: Not a single crumb of sugar is available anywhere—neither at local grocers, supermarkets, nor large retail chains.
Why Is Sugar Missing?
Common sense points to two main factors:
- Tunisian enthusiasm for this volatile commodity has driven demand to unsustainable levels.
- Bakers and other vendors have turned Ramadan into a selling season for “Grewechs,” “Zlebya,” and “Mkharek,” allegedly monopolising the entire sugar supply and leaving Tunisian households in a state of blandness and bitterness—both literally and figuratively.
This hypothesis has not been dismissed by representatives of the Ministry of Trade.
Official Statement from the Ministry of Trade
Samir Khalfaoui, Director of Economic Research at the Ministry of Trade, told Jawhara FM on Thursday, 12 March 2026, that:
- “The quantities of sugar made available through distribution channels are sufficient to meet citizens’ needs.”
- “Daily sugar volumes are scheduled, with consumer demand estimated at about 1,000 tons per day, plus additional quantities injected into the distribution network.”
He further explained that the absence of sugar on shelves is due to a “manipulation circuit” surrounding the commodity.
Khalfaoui also highlighted:
- A price gap between sugar intended for household consumption and that reserved for professional use.
- Ongoing control efforts aimed at limiting speculation by directing sugar to the most transparent sales venues, namely large retail outlets.
These remarks confirm that something is amiss, because despite the official declarations, sugar simply does not exist in our markets. Vendors consistently respond with a single refrain:
“It arrives very early in the morning and disappears within 30 minutes…”
Bottom Line
- Supply vs. reality: Official statements claim ample supply, yet shelves remain empty.
- Speculation and hoarding: Early‑morning rushes and rapid sell‑outs suggest a controlled or manipulated market.
- Impact on consumers: Honest families are left without a staple ingredient for their traditional Ramadan sweets.
If you’re planning to bake this Ramadan, prepare for a race against the clock—or consider alternative sweeteners until the sugar shortage is resolved.
