Tomato Crisis: Prices Soar, Farmers Strike

Tomato prices in Tunisia have surged to unprecedented levels, threatening the survival of farmers. Midani Dhaoui, president of the Tunisian Union of Farmers, denounced a critical situation on Monday, November 2, marked by outdated state pricing that has remained unchanged for over five years. Rising production costs are not reflected in selling prices, fueling a spiral of insecurity for farmers. The crisis affects a vital sector of Tunisian agriculture, where producers claim they can no longer cover expenses with current prices. Dhaoui called for immediate government intervention to update tariffs and protect farmers. 'Middlemen margins have become unsustainable,' he stated, highlighting a lack of efficiency in the distribution chain. Farmers, who represent over 10% of the active population, are seeking a quick solution. The price surge, combined with reduced subsidies, threatens their ability to produce. The situation echoes recurring tensions in the agricultural sector, where calls for help are often ignored. For Dhaoui, the issue now is updating tariffs and ensuring an equitable distribution of costs.