Sugar Supply in Tunisia: OCT Ensures Sufficient Quantities Until Year-End
Sami Bouaziz, Deputy General Manager of the Tunisian Trade Office (OCT), assured in a statement to the Tunisian Press Agency (TAP) on September 17 that the available sugar quantities and planned imports will be sufficient to cover local demand until the end of the year.
Meeting Increased Demand During Mouled
To respond to the increased demand during the Mouled celebrations, the OCT has put into circulation significant quantities of sugar, reaching up to 2000 tons per day. This measure has allowed the daily needs of around 1000 tons to be met.
Current Stock and Upcoming Deliveries
Bouaziz stated that the OCT currently has approximately 35,000 tons of sugar in stock, with an additional 9,000 tons expected to arrive. Furthermore, another shipment of 9,000 tons is scheduled to arrive at the port of Sousse on September 20.
Import Contract and Local Production
The OCT has signed a contract to import 20,000 tons of sugar. Regarding local production, the OCT expects to receive around 37,000 tons of sugar from the Tunisian Sugar Company (STS) by the end of the year.
Impact of International Sugar Prices
The increase in international sugar prices in 2024, ranging from $700 to $800 per ton, has affected the financial balances of the OCT. Local selling prices are set at 1,400 dinars per kilogram, while the import cost for the OCT is 2,700 TND/kg.
Rice and Coffee Supplies
In the same statement, Bouaziz mentioned that the OCT is also focusing on injecting 70 tons of rice into the market. Regarding coffee, he attributed the current shortage to not only importation issues but also the rarity of the product on the market.
