North African bottled water prices surge amid rising plastic costs

Rising prices for bottled mineral and spring water are causing concern across North Africa. In Algeria, consumer protection organization Himayatec reported price increases of up to 30 dinars at various retail points. Mohamed Aïssaoui, president of Himayatec, attributed the surge to the rising cost of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) used for plastic bottles, driven by complex geopolitical factors. He noted that while the increase is currently significant, it is viewed as a temporary situation that should subside once global conditions stabilize.

In Tunisia, the crisis has highlighted the high cost of bottled water compared to tap water. Critics have suggested that the closure of traditional freshwater fountains has forced a reliance on expensive bottled products. There are calls to reactivate these fountains to provide a more affordable alternative to the current market, which is characterized by high prices for plastic-bottled water and concerns over the economic impact of importing plastic materials.