Tunisia – Consumer inflation in Tunisia increased to 5% at the end of April and is expected to continue in the coming period due to mounting consumption, especially during the month of Ramadan and in wake of the Tunisian currency devaluation.

The National Statistics Institute asserted that inflation increased during the past month after stability in January and February when the average was 4.6% before it rose to 4.8% in March. The monthly inflation rate rose around 0.9% between March and April.

The institute provided data on consumption indicators in Tunisia, including the remarkable rise of food and beverage prices (5.2%) and shoes and clothes prices (8.4%).

As Ramadan approaches, Tunisian markets marked an increase in prices of vegetables 11.5%, cooking oils 13.6%, fish 5.8%, dairy products 2.4% and meat 3.6%. These are essential consumables, which explains their direct effect on inflation rates.

During the same period, beverage prices also rose 4.6% following a 6.2% increase in prices of mineral water, soft drinks and juice. As for clothes and shoes, prices increased 8.4% while the sector of housing, water and domestic energy rose around 5.9%.

Tunisian finance and economy experts explained that this increase is attributed to the annual rise in prices of houses, drinking water, electricity, gas and fuel.

Tunisian economist Ezzedine Suaidan stated that crop yields during the coming period will leave a positive impact on the supply. He expected prices to return to normal after a few days, especially amid the economic crisis Tunisian families are enduring.