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🇹🇳 Tunisia /Economy & Trade

Tunisia: Farmers' debt relief decrees awaited from central bank

From La Presse · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • An agricultural union official called on Tunisia's central bank to immediately publish decrees canceling farmers' debts.
  • The decrees, part of the finance law, were expected to be implemented by January 1, 2026, but remain unpublished eight months later.
  • The official warned that easing farmers' debt is crucial for their economic survival, preventing price hikes and unemployment.

Fathi Ben Khalifa, an economic advisor for the Tunisian Union of Agriculture and Fisheries (Utap), urged the Central Bank of Tunisia on Wednesday to promptly release the implementing decrees for canceling farmers' debts. This call comes eight months after the adoption of the finance law, which included provisions for debt relief.

The issue goes beyond the mere financial question. We call for debt relief for farmers and assistance in their recovery, to allow them to remain in the economic circuit.

— Fathi Ben KhalifaBen Khalifa explained the broader implications of the delayed debt cancellation decrees for Tunisian farmers.

Speaking on national radio, Ben Khalifa expressed frustration over the delay in publishing these regulatory texts, which he believes should have been active since January 1, 2026. He stressed that the issue extends beyond mere financial considerations. The union official advocated for debt relief and support for debt recovery to ensure farmers remain integrated within the economic system.

The farmer is an essential link in this circuit: any drop in production leads to a rise in prices and forces the country to resort to imports in hard currency.

— Fathi Ben KhalifaBen Khalifa described the economic consequences of a decline in agricultural output.

Ben Khalifa highlighted the critical role of farmers in Tunisia's economy. He warned that a decline in agricultural production inevitably leads to price increases and forces the country to rely on costly imports. Furthermore, he cautioned that farmers exiting the economic circuit would create a significant social burden and exacerbate unemployment.

The exit of farmers from the economic circuit translates into a social burden and fuels the rise in unemployment in the country.

— Fathi Ben KhalifaBen Khalifa warned about the social repercussions of farmers leaving the economic system.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Presse in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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