The Minister of Commerce says the shortage of tomatoes in the markets is due to climate change

Commerce and Export Development Minister Sameer Abed said the shortage of tomatoes in the markets led to a sharp decline in agricultural production due to factors and climate volatility. This came during a joint hearing held in Tunis, the capital, where the Committee on Industry and Trade met with the Assembly of the Representatives of the People and the Committee on Production Sectors of the National Council of Governments and Regions to discuss the ministry's mission within the draft state budget law.

He explained that the high temperatures had a negative impact on plant flowers and resulted in a decrease in crop yields during this period. He pointed out that this decline was directly reflected in the pace of supply and quantities of tomatoes offered in various Tunisian markets, which is why there is a remarkable scarcity in providing this basic material to consumers.

The Minister said that it is in the interest of the Ministry to continue distributing the quantities available to reduce the registered deficit and ensure consistent access of goods to consumers, stressing the intensification of field efforts to monitor the flow of goods under regulated legislation on competition and prices and combat monopoly and speculation in consumer materials. These clarifications come after the minister's field inspection visits to wholesale markets in Monastir State to examine supply disruption and production gaps recorded in greenery and silt, as well as observing difficulties faced by distribution channels in the light of declining supply compared to domestic demand.

Future measures include joint supervisory interventions on wholesale and retail routes, with the aim of managing inventories, ensuring a consistent supply of green markets and countering any attempts to exploit agricultural production scarcity in raising prices.