Food prices in Tunisia rose to 8.5% in October

The National Statistical Institute announced, on Thursday 5 November 2026, that Tunisia's food and beverage group price hike will accelerate to 8.5% as a result of the annual slippage during the month of October. The overall inflation rate for household consumption has stabilized at 5.6% for the second consecutive month, amid continued pressure on households' budgets and purchasing power as a result of daily commodity prices.

Detailed statistical data showed fresh produce exports to the list of annual increases increased by 20%, while beef prices rose by 14.7%, and poultry by 14.5%. Beef prices increased by 13%, while fresh vegetables rose by 12.9%, making the cost of a basic meal the biggest burden of the recorded inflation wave.

The institute explained that free foodstuffs recorded a year-on-year increase of 9.6%, compared to a slight increase of 0.3% for framed and priced materials by administrative decisions. Conversely, implied inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food commodities, fell to 4.8% in October from 4.9% recorded last September.

The general index reflects relatively stable inflation compared to its previous trajectory, with the price curve starting from 5.4% in Oct 2026 before rising to 5.6% in September. These monthly data are part of the legal tasks entrusted to the National Statistical Institute under Law No. 32 of 1999, which regulates the monitoring and documentation of economic and financial indicators in the country.

Attention is directed to the upcoming meeting of the Central Bank of Tunisia's Board of Directors, dedicated to assessing general inflation indicators and price developments in the consumer market, with a view to determining monetary policy and the level of the main interest rate in light of the price pressures experienced by the food sector.