Tunisia's Minister of Agriculture, Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh, and Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, led a joint meeting to examine the country's red meat sector. The discussion focused on the national program for providing sacrificial sheep for Aid El-Idha 2027. The ministers emphasized the need for a successful program implementation to ensure availability and affordability for citizens.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Agriculture, was attended by high-ranking officials from both departments. The agenda included reviewing the current state of the red meat industry, its development prospects, and measures to secure the national market's supply. The program aims to provide sheep for sacrifice during Aid El-Idha, aligning with citizens' purchasing power.
The ministers reviewed general indicators of the red meat sector and the structural challenges it faces. They highlighted the importance of the Ellouhoum Society's involvement in implementing the sacrificial sheep program for 2027 and reconstituting the national herd. This effort is a collaboration with the Office des terres domaniales, Office national des aliments du bétail, and Office de l'Elevage et des Pâturages (OEP).
Key discussion points included the supply of livestock feed, controlling production costs, and establishing a reference price. The ministers also emphasized the need to strengthen mechanisms for supporting breeders, fostering trust, and encouraging them to continue and expand their activities. This support is crucial for sustaining the sector and meeting national market demands.
Participants stressed the importance of intensifying joint efforts and coordination between the two ministries. This cooperation aims to better control red meat prices and distribution channels, enhance transaction transparency, and combat illicit practices that disrupt market equilibrium and influence prices.
The meeting concluded with an agreement on the need for clear evaluation indicators and operational follow-up. The ministers highlighted the significance of preparing for peak consumption periods to ensure the long-term sustainability of the red meat sector. This involves implementing work programs with a focus on achieving tangible results.
Ultimately, the Tunisian government aims to stabilize the red meat market and ensure a consistent supply of affordable products for consumers. The success of the national program for Aid El-Idha 2027 and the reconstitution of the national herd are critical components of this strategy. The collaboration between the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade will be essential in achieving these objectives.
Key points
- Tunisian ministers Ezzeddine Ben Cheikh and Samir Abid stress the need for a successful national program to provide sacrificial sheep for Aid El-Idha 2027.
