The start of Ramadan is approaching: scheduled for March 22 or 23, it may be a bit difficult for many households this year economically due to generalized inflation. In Tunisia, it reached 10.4% in February and Tunisians struggle to do their shopping, especially during the holy month when food consumption is higher. The government has set maximum selling prices and margins for certain products such as poultry or eggs. But on the eve of Ramadan, looking for bargains is the best way to save money.
With our correspondent in Tunis, Lilia Blaise
On Avenue Bourguiba in Tunis, farmers from southern Tunisia came directly to sell their dates, an essential fruit for breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan. Bilel, a farmer from Tozeur, attracts customers with a kilo of dates at ten dinars, or 3 euros. ” At the moment, as we can see, many people are very tight in their budget because of the high cost of living. We don’t sell very well, but we have to admit that there was still a lot of people because our prices are cheaper than elsewhere. “.
Twenty similar points of sale, from producer to consumer, will be set up in the country for the start of the holy month, a way to better regulate prices according to the authorities. Saïda, 51 and a housewife, made the trek from the outskirts of Hay Ettadhamen to pay less, but still had to cut her shopping budget. “ Honestly, Ramadan for me this year is not like before. I had to take a lot of things out of my shopping: I’m going to buy less eggs, less oil, no meat or chicken because even the price of chicken has gone up. »
For Fakria Bouzenda, manager of a leisure center, it will be necessary to redouble solidarity for this Ramadan. “ It’s good to have regulated prices a little, but we really have to help needy families, there are more and more of them who monitor everything they buy in the markets. The Ministry of Social Affairs has indicated that financial assistance in two installments will be paid to nearly 320,000 families. It usually revolves around 36 euros.
And in this tense economic situation, no new information on possible progress in negotiations around the loan with the International Monetary Fund of 1.9 billion dollars.