The Minister of Commerce says the shortage of tomatoes in the markets is due to climate change
Sameer Abed explains to parliament that rising temperatures have reduced production and the ministry's interests continue to distribute the quantities available to overcome the disruption in supplying markets.
Trade and Export Development Minister Samir Abed, during a parliamentary hearing held on Thursday in the capital Tunis, reiterated the recorded shortage of tomatoes in local markets to a sharp drop in production due to factors and climate change.
The minister explained that rising temperatures had a negative impact on the flowers of the plantations, leading to a crop shortage during this period, in tandem with the production gaps that the distribution of fresh agricultural products normally occurs in October and November.
He stressed to the deputies that the interests of the Ministry of Trade and Export Development are currently pursuing the distribution process and directing the available quantities with the aim of reducing the existing shortage and securing the supply of basic materials to the market.
These clarifications came during a joint hearing convened by the Industry and Trade Committee with the Assembly of the Representatives of the People and the Production Sectors Committee of the National Council of Governments and Regions to discuss the ministry's mission under the draft state budget for 2027, which is estimated at around 4223 million dinars, down 0.6% from the 2026 budget.
At the next stage, the Ministry intends to continue adjusting its distribution pathways in parallel with the completion of parliamentary approval procedures on its draft annual budget presented in both Houses of Parliament.
