Tunisians are regularly confronted with shortages of basic commodities, and this time they’re faced with a new shortage of subsidized bread, an indispensable staple in the daily lives of this North African people. As a result, the disruption in durum wheat supplies has led to a shortage of semolina, putting pressure on the availability of flour and, consequently, bread. The association notes that there is also a malfunction in the distribution of subsidized flour, with certain bakeries taking the lion’s share. According to ALERT, these structural factors have been exacerbated by other short-term factors which have accelerated the decline of the bread industry in Tunisia. Added to this is the difficult climatic situation in Tunisia, marked by severe drought, which has had a heavy impact on durum wheat production, which stands at one million quintals, or just 19% of market requirements.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 05, 2023 11:09 UTC