The tomato producers in the Nabeul governorate are anxious about the heavy damage to production suffered during the current season, due to the repeated electricity outages recorded in recent days.
These interruptions have led to the shutdown of several processing units, while other factories continue to operate at a reduced pace, with very limited production capacity.
Farmers also face great difficulties in marketing their products. Trucks loaded with tomatoes remain parked for several days in front of the factories, before the producers are informed of the rejection of their cargo due to its deterioration in quality.
Tomatoes being particularly prone to spoilage quickly, especially under high temperatures, this situation causes heavy losses to the farmers, especially since most of them rely on this season to repay their debts and honor their financial obligations.
Several farmers have issued an urgent appeal to the authorities concerned, first of all to the Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries, as well as regional and local authorities, so that they intervene immediately and take urgent measures to save the tomato harvest before its total deterioration.
They also demand a regular and continuous supply of electricity for the processing plants, to ensure the smooth running of the production process.
