Tunisian Tomato Crisis Threatens to Persist

The Tunisian tomato industry is facing a severe crisis, with consumers complaining about the shortage and high price of tomatoes on the market. The Fédération régionale des producteurs de tomates destinées à la transformation in the Nabeul governorate, the country's primary production and processing hub, has called on producers to boycott tomato cultivation for the 2027 season. This move is a protest against the worsening structural problems affecting production and processing.

The boycott call was made by Mohamed Ben Hassen, secretary general of the Federation, who cited difficulties faced by farmers, including rising production costs, labor shortages, and high-quality plant costs. Ben Hassen also criticized the imbalance in the distribution of charges and benefits among the different links in the production chain. He noted that the price of tomato concentrate had increased, while the purchase price of tomatoes from farmers had remained unchanged for four years.

According to Ben Hassen, the price of a 800g box of tomato concentrate increased to 660 millimes in September 2026, while the purchase price of tomatoes from farmers remained at 270 millimes per kilogram. This imbalance has led to significant challenges for farmers, who are struggling to make a profit. The Federation is seeking urgent intervention to reorganize the sector and establish a fair balance that guarantees farmers' rights.

Despite the challenges, Tunisia is one of the world's leading producers and processors of tomatoes, often ranking in the top 10 globally for processing. However, the sector is currently experiencing economic turmoil due to imbalances between production costs, reference prices, and accumulated stocks. In the 2026 agricultural campaign, tomato production reached approximately 1.1 million tonnes.

The production was divided into 200,000 tonnes for fresh consumption, 60,000 tonnes for drying, and 840,000 tonnes for industrial processing. The Federation's call for a boycott is a sign of the deepening crisis in the sector, which is threatening the livelihoods of farmers and the country's food security. The situation is being closely monitored by stakeholders.

According to forecasts, the total stock of tomato concentrate will reach around 70,000 tonnes by June 2027, covering over 70% of local consumption for the upcoming season. However, this does not necessarily mean that the crisis is over, as the sector still faces significant structural challenges. The Federation is pushing for reforms to address these issues.

The Tunisian government and other stakeholders will need to work together to address the crisis and find a solution that benefits all parties involved. The country's agricultural sector is a significant contributor to the economy, and the tomato industry is a vital part of this. Finding a way to stabilize the sector and ensure fair prices for farmers is crucial for the country's food security and economic stability.

Key points

• The Tunisian tomato industry is facing a severe crisis due to imbalances between production costs, reference prices, and accumulated stocks.
• The Fédération régionale des producteurs de tomates destinées à la transformation has called on producers to boycott tomato cultivation for the 2027 season.
• The sector's crisis threatens the livelihoods of farmers and the country's food security.