According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS), Tunisia's inflation rate has remained stable at 5.6% in October 2026, for the second consecutive month. However, this stability masks a new acceleration in food prices, which rose by 8.5% annually, up from 8.4% in September. The INS released the data on Thursday, November 5. The stability in inflation rate is a positive sign, but the rising food prices are a concern for Tunisian households.
The increase in food prices is particularly notable for several products. Fresh fruits have seen a 20% annual increase, followed by lamb meat (+14.7%), poultry (+14.5%), and beef (+13%). Fresh vegetables have also recorded a 12.9% increase, while fresh fish have risen by 8.9%. On the other hand, edible oils have decreased by 4.8% over the past year. These price increases are likely to affect the purchasing power of Tunisian consumers.
The rise in food prices is more pronounced for non-regulated products, which have increased by 9.6%, compared to 0.3% for regulated products. The monthly consumer price index has increased by 0.7% in October, after a 0.8% rise in September. This evolution is mainly due to the increase in clothing and footwear prices, which rose by 6.3% following the end of summer sales. The "Food and Beverages" group has seen a more limited monthly increase of 0.2%.
Within the "Food and Beverages" group, some products have recorded price increases, such as fresh fruits (+3%), fresh vegetables (+1.3%), and eggs (+0.9%). However, some products have seen price decreases, including poultry (-2.1%), lamb meat (-1.2%), and fish (-1%). These price fluctuations are likely to impact the budgets of Tunisian households.
The core inflation rate, which excludes food and energy, has decreased slightly to 4.8% in October, down from 4.9% in September. The prices of manufactured products have increased by 4.8% over the past year, driven in particular by the 9.1% rise in clothing and footwear. The services sector has seen an annual increase of 4.1%, with accommodation services recording one of the largest increases at 14.1%.
The October figures reflect a mixed situation: while the overall inflation rate remains stable, pressure on food prices is increasing, while core inflation has decreased slightly. The INS data highlights the challenges facing the Tunisian economy, particularly in terms of price control. The government will need to monitor the situation closely to mitigate the impact of rising food prices on households.
The persistence of high food prices is a concern for the Tunisian government, which will need to take measures to mitigate the impact on households. The situation is likely to be monitored closely by policymakers, who will need to balance the need to control inflation with the need to support economic growth. The next inflation figures will be closely watched to see if the trend continues.
Key points
- Tunisia's inflation rate remains stable at 5.6% in October 2026.
- Food prices in Tunisia continue to rise, with an 8.5% annual increase.
- The core inflation rate has decreased slightly to 4.8% in October.
