Wilding of commercial practices: Is there no way to put an end to it?

Tunisian consumers are increasingly accustomed to steep price hikes on basic necessities, but the problem extends beyond essential goods to include exotic fruits and even local produce like watermelons. The article paints a grim picture of consumers trapped by a "mafia" of speculators, who are described as ordinary Tunisians exploiting the situation. The piece questions why these individuals remain "untouchable" and why authorities have failed to stop their harmful practices.

The availability of imported goods like bananas, pineapples, coconuts, and kiwis is highlighted, with the article questioning their origin and distribution channels. These fruits, along with local staples, are becoming prohibitively expensive. A single banana can now cost up to 5 dinars, a price deemed "the height of aberration." This greed, the article suggests, allows speculators to dictate prices, a trend that has persisted for over a decade and is now worsening, leading to what is termed the "wilding" of economic life.

Basic food items such as tomatoes, peppers, and onions, fundamental to Tunisian cuisine, have also seen dizzying price increases. The article attributes this to several factors. Producers are increasingly choosing to export their goods, attracted by more lucrative international prices, which in turn creates scarcity in the domestic market. Furthermore, the demand from hotels and a significant influx of tourists, including Algerians vacationing in Tunisia, further drives up consumption of agricultural products.

The piece expresses frustration over the government's apparent inability to control these speculative practices and protect citizens from the spiraling costs. It laments that Tunisians are being deprived of affordable access to essential foods like red meat and fruits, impacting their daily lives and sense of well-being in their own country. The situation is expected to worsen, especially during the summer, a period of high consumption.