Increasing prices for wheat flour, sugar and vegetable oil are having a significant effect on local Tunisian staples, like couscous, bread and pasta. Rising food costs and unemployment were a major factor leading to the social unrest and riots in Tunisia, according to Cary Sifferath, U.S. Grains Council regional director based in Tunisia.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The effects on feed grains demand across North Africa is not known yet. However, Tunisia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s demand will be set back in 2011, after seeing a record of corn imports and the first major distiller\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dried grains import in 2010,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd Sifferath said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153At the same time, these riots will have a major impact on Tunisia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tourism industry, which will not be good for the economy.\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd<\/p>\n
Tourism represents about 8 to 10 percent of Tunisia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gross domestic product and is a major source of hard currency.
As a result, poultry production in Tunisia has also slowed due to lower consumer demand and increased feed prices.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153These cutbacks in poultry production will cause lower feed grain demand. While it is unclear how long this will last, there is a widespread belief in the region that the change of government will be positive for Tunisia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s future,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd Sifferath said.<\/p>\n
The Council will keep a close eye on feed grains demand in Tunisia. While regional Council programs will continue, for the next month, Council programs in Tunisia are on hold. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Increasing prices for wheat flour, sugar and vegetable oil are having a significant effect on local Tunisian staples, like couscous, bread and pasta. Rising food costs and unemployment were a major factor leading to the social unrest and riots in Tunisia, according to Cary Sifferath, U.S. Grains Council regional director based in Tunisia. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The effects … <\/p>\n