🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Butter prices in Tunisia exceed meat prices, signaling market dysfunction
via Business News5 min read
Butter prices in Tunisia have reached unprecedented levels, with a 200-gram packet selling for up to 8.200 dinars, equivalent to 41 dinars per kilogram. This makes butter more expensive than various types of meat, such as beef at 39.500 dinars per kilogram, seasoned minced steak at 38 dinars per kilogram, chicken breast at 15.900 dinars per kilogram, and turkey breast at 22.350 dinars per kilogram, according to prices observed on April 28, 2026. This price inversion, where a processed dairy product costs more than raw meat requiring extensive production processes, indicates a significant market imbalance. While prices vary across retailers, the overall trend is concerning. The article questions the role of the state in regulating prices and protecting consumers, especially given official rhetoric about social equity and market protection. It suggests that this situation points to a deep dysfunction in market mechanisms, either due to uncontrolled production and distribution costs or excessive profit margins, ultimately burdening consumers without clear justification. The author emphasizes that this is not merely an economic anecdote but a critical warning sign of underlying issues within the economy.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
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