Food prices to rise by 15, 20%

Association of importers of foodstuffs warned of the anticipated rise in prices beginning of next April, after they have been informed about the decision to review the prices by foreign producers, during a national seminar that was organized by the National Union of merchants and craftsmen.

National Union of merchants and craftsmen organized a press conference on Saturday, in the presence of branches of syndicates across the country.

The Union’s spokesman, Taher Boulanouar, said that the rise in prices in 2012 exceeded 20%, pointing out that the Association of importers of foodstuffs informed traders about anticipated increases in the prices of imported consumer goods.

In his assessment of the outcome in 2012, the spokesman discussed positive points, including the elimination of chaotic markets, but did not yield results, calling on the government to reconsider the tax system and expedite the completion of the national distribution network and activating the role of municipalities.

For the trade union’s assessment in 2012, he said that increases touched prices of dry beans, as the price of chickpeas rises by 100%, reaching up to 260 dinars per kilogram, along with rising prices of lentils, which did not exceed 80 dinars a maximum, but it has jumped to 120 dinars per kilogram. As prices of various types of pasta, reach 40 dinars per kilo.

As for the government’s decision to include further increases in the prices of transportation at the beginning of 2013, he confirmed that it must be matched by improving public service for taxis and buses, and compel the agents at the level of the bus to a period of training to know the laws and improve the service.