Mohamed Ben Hassen, Secretary General of the Regional Union of Tomato Producers in Nabeul and member of the Regional Union of Agriculture and Fisheries, sounded the alarm on the growing difficulties hitting the sector. In a statement given to Mosaïque FM, he detailed the major obstacles encountered by farmers, from the planting phase to harvest.
The manager notably pointed out a significant delay in the distribution of the plants. This blockage, caused by disruptions in the supply of imported seeds, postponed the transplanting operations initially planned for March to April. Added to this is the difficulty for farmers to obtain DAP, a fertilizer that is essential to the nutrition of tomato crops intended for the industry. On a social level, the sector is facing a worrying labor shortage, exacerbated by the disinterest of young Tunisians in working the land. According to Mr. Ben Hassen, this rejection can be explained by the harshness of the profession and the lack of profitability observed among previous generations.
The observation is just as worrying regarding cultivated areas, which record a constant decline from one year to the next. The Secretary General deplores a lack of support and supervision from the State, even though this sector is strategic for national food security. He also revealed administrative slowness in the process of compensating farmers who were victims of the floods of January 20, 2026, specifying that the commissions responsible for assessing the damage have still not contacted the professionals concerned.
Finally, regarding the soaring prices of fresh tomatoes on the local market, Mohamed Ben Hassen was keen to clear the producers. He explains this increase by the margins of resellers as well as by a usual seasonal drop in production at the end of the early season. To escape this dependence, he recommends placing scientific research at the heart of the national strategy in order to produce Tunisian seeds and no longer suffer the hazards of international imports.
