Tunisian Agricultural Union Demands Higher Prices for Cereals to Ensure Farmers' Financial Balance
The Executive Bureau of the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (UTAP) has officially requested a price increase for cereals purchased from farmers. This demand, made by the bureau, is motivated by the explosion of production costs and the surge in global market prices. The goal is to ensure a minimum financial balance for farmers.
This announcement was made in a statement released after the union's periodic meeting held on Saturday, May 2, 2026. The UTAP emphasized the urgency of finalizing preparations for the harvest season.
The union is calling for greater flexibility in the "adjustment scale," highlighting the acute shortage of ammonitrate, which risks affecting the quality of crops, particularly with the increase in mitadinage rates. The UTAP also recommends extending the deadlines for the "rapid delivery premium" until the end of August for barley and until the end of September for hard and soft wheat, in anticipation of potential delays in harvesting due to humidity and late rains.
Rural Security and Fishing Crisis
Regarding the protection of farms, the statement calls for increased efforts to clear roadside vegetation to prevent fires. It also demands intensified security campaigns to combat cattle theft, a growing problem in several regions that weighs heavily on livestock breeders.
Regarding maritime fishing, the Executive Bureau expressed its deep concern about the deterioration of socio-economic conditions for professionals in the sector. The UTAP strongly disapproves of "unilateral approaches" to decision-making and the exclusion of proposals from sector professionals.
The organization is calling for the establishment of comprehensive social coverage for marine fishermen, ensuring them fair retirement pensions. The UTAP also advocates for simplifying administrative procedures that hinder the sustainability of the activity. The statement concludes by reaffirming the need for a global, participatory approach, anchored in reality on the ground, to strengthen the resilience of the agri-food sector and ensure national food sovereignty.
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