Tunisia poultry sector faces production losses from heatwaves

Tunisia’s poultry sector is facing significant production challenges following record heatwaves in July and August 2026. The extreme temperatures, compounded by frequent water and electricity outages, disrupted essential ventilation and cooling systems in many farms. These disruptions led to increased mortality rates, growth delays, and reduced productivity, particularly within the broiler chicken sector.

Fathi Gharib, president of the National Chamber of Poultry Slaughterhouses and Processors, estimated that mortality rates could have reached or exceeded 20% to 25% in certain farms. While industry professionals note that the production deficit has not yet reached a full-scale crisis, they anticipate a gradual rebalancing of production starting in October.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries is currently evaluating the exact scale of the losses to adjust production levels. To mitigate future risks from climate change, officials have suggested investing in renewable energy to protect farms from power outages. Potential government support may include new financing lines, tax advantages, revised facilities, and enhanced technical and sanitary guidance in coordination with veterinarians.