Authorities in Tunis recorded 49 economic violations on the first day of Ramadan 2026, highlighting continued challenges in monitoring pricing, trade transparency, and consumer protection during the holy month. The inspections, conducted by the regional directorate of trade and export development, focused on markets, bakeries, and food suppliers across the governorate.
Six economic control teams carried out 116 visits to businesses in Tunis, targeting compliance with regulations governing fair trade, accurate weighing, and lawful pricing. Sihem Mabrouk, the regional director of trade, told reporters that the offences largely concerned fruit and vegetables, food products, poultry and eggs, as well as fish, red meat, and bakeries. Specifically, inspectors recorded 24 violations in fruit and vegetables, 10 in processed food products, six in poultry and eggs, and nine related to fish, red meat, and bakery items.
“The inspections identified 19 cases undermining transaction transparency, 24 instances of speculative pricing, and six violations linked to metrology,” Mabrouk said, referring to measures ensuring accurate weighing and labeling of products. She emphasised that immediate corrective measures were taken where necessary, particularly regarding poultry and red meat, and that merchants largely respected legal profit margins.
Reference prices for key commodities were recorded during the inspections, including potatoes priced between 1.5 and 2 Tunisian dinars per kilogram, tomatoes from 1.6 to 1.98 dinars per kilogram, and sweet and hot green peppers ranging from 3 to 3.75 dinars per kilogram. These figures serve as benchmarks for enforcement during the month of Ramadan, when demand for essential food items typically rises sharply.
The first day of Ramadan, a period marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, traditionally sees increased consumer activity, particularly in the food sector. Markets often experience higher footfall, creating opportunities for price manipulation, hoarding, and speculative practices. Authorities therefore step up monitoring efforts to ensure that supply remains stable and that pricing remains fair, particularly for staples such as vegetables, meat, poultry, and grains.
Tunisia has faced ongoing economic pressures, including rising food prices, currency fluctuations, and supply chain challenges, all of which can affect consumer access to essential goods. During Ramadan, these challenges are amplified by heightened demand, leading authorities to emphasise the importance of proactive oversight.
The regional directorate’s inspections form part of a broader national framework for consumer protection, which includes regulatory oversight of wholesale and retail markets, licensing checks, and enforcement of standards for weights and measures. These measures are intended to maintain confidence in market operations, prevent illegal profiteering, and ensure equitable access to food for all citizens.
In recent years, authorities have increasingly focused on combating speculation and ensuring transparency in transactions. Regulatory agencies rely on spot inspections, data collection, and monitoring of wholesale and retail pricing to detect deviations from legal margins. Merchants found in violation may face fines, closure of premises, or other administrative sanctions depending on the severity of the offence.
Mabrouk highlighted that while violations were identified on the first day of Ramadan, the overall level of compliance remained relatively high. “Merchants understand the importance of adhering to legal profit margins, and we will continue to work with them to ensure that consumers are protected,” she said.
The inspections underscore the challenges of managing supply chains in urban centres like Tunis, where demand surges during religious holidays. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to continuing oversight throughout Ramadan, ensuring that traders maintain fair pricing, accurate weighing, and full transparency in commercial operations.
As the holy month progresses, authorities plan to maintain a visible presence in markets, bakeries, and food supply chains to deter speculation, prevent price gouging, and safeguard consumer interests. By combining regulatory enforcement with awareness campaigns and reference pricing, Tunisian officials aim to stabilise the market during one of the busiest periods of the year, supporting both consumers and compliant traders.
The first-day inspections serve as a benchmark for the authorities’ ongoing efforts to enforce trade regulations, maintain food affordability, and ensure that Ramadan traditions proceed smoothly without undue economic strain on households.
