Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Amina Aouadi
Published on 2024-03-04 20:36:43
The Minister of Commerce and Export Promotion, Tayeb Zitouni, took advantage of the launch of the national campaign against wastage on Monday, March 4, to speak out about the soaring prices of meat.
“It’s too expensive!” he exclaimed, pointing out the lack of justification for such prices. The minister then compared imported meat to local meat, emphasizing that they were of equivalent quality, but the former was much cheaper.
“We go from one to two times the price!” he thundered, pointing out the striking price difference. Currently, the price per kilogram of imported beef is 1350 Algerian dinars, while local meat reaches the considerable sum of 2800 Algerian dinars. This alarming observation highlights an unsustainable situation for Algerian consumers.
Tayeb Zitouni was categorical: no tolerance will be granted to merchants who raise prices beyond the rate set by the state (which is 1200 Algerian dinars per kilogram for vacuum-packed meat). He also called on citizens to report any abuses observed in order to fight against speculation.
The State is relying on imports to revive the national livestock
Furthermore, the minister indicated that 285,000 sheep were imported last year to lower prices. He emphasized that the prices of local sheep and beef meat are exorbitant and exceed all limits.
Mr. Tayeb Zitouni also stated that the decision of the President to import meat aimed at allowing citizens to buy this commodity at affordable prices and to revive the growth of the national livestock, which now counts 23 million heads.
Read the original article(French) on Algerie 360
