Tunisia considers hatching egg imports to stabilize poultry sector

Tunisia's Ministry of Agriculture is considering the importation of hatching eggs to stabilize poultry production for November and December. This potential measure follows significant losses in the poultry sector caused by extreme heatwaves and frequent electricity outages during July and August 2026.

The Groupement interprofessionnel des produits avicoles et cunicoles (GIPAC) is finalizing a census of these losses, which includes mortality rates, production decreases, growth delays, and impacts on fertility. Some small and medium-sized farms in the Nabeul and Zaghouan regions have reportedly experienced mortality rates as high as 100%.

The proposed imports would focus specifically on hatching eggs to gradually rebuild production capacity rather than importing poultry meat directly. The data collected by GIPAC will allow the Ministry to implement an effective adjustment program to address supply difficulties in the white meat market.