Prices are expected to fall in Ramadan this year (due to begin on March 11 or 12, 2024), compared with the same month last year, Managing Director of Competition and Economic Surveys at the Ministry of Trade Houssem Eddine Touiti said. He added at a press conference on Thursday on the Ministry's preparations for Ramadan that price levels in January and February had fallen by 28% compared with the same period last year. He pointed to a 22% increase in the quantities of vegetables and fruits on offer at the Bir EL Kasaa wholesale market during the first two months of this year, compared with the same period last year. All measures have been taken to meet the rising demand expected in Ramadan, when consumption is up by almost 20% compared with the rest of the year. The department will endeavour to meet the needs in this field and to improve supply conditions, in order to deal with some of the bad behaviour of consumers, notably queuing in front of shops, the official underlined. He added that the ministry i s also working to ensure a balance between family consumption and that of professionals, by supplying additional quantities of consumer products, notably sugar. Taking the floor, Managing Director of Domestic Trade, Handicrats and Services Basma Trabelsi said that 25,000 tonnes of potatoes and 21,000 tonnes of pepper have been injected into the market. Some 13,000 tonnes of tomatoes and 21,000 tonnes of pepper are also expected to be put on the market, in addition to 8,000 tonnes of leafy vegetables. Supplies of citrus fruit, apples and dates will be normal this month, she further specified. 2,000 tonnes of bananas will be imported from Egypt, she indicated, adding that the price per kilo will be set at TND 5. These fruits will be marketed in supermarkets and producer-to-consumer outlets, she added. The market will also be regularly supplied with sterilised semi-skimmed milk, she said, pointing out that daily milk sales are expected to reach 1.7 million litres. Trabelsi added that the Tunisian Trade Of fice will deliver 1,000 tonnes of sugar per day and 500 tonnes of coffee for home consumption per week. From the beginning of March, 700 tonnes of rice will be distributed and 15,000 tonnes of subsidised vegetable oil will be imported, she added. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse