The agriculture ministry will recalibrate output in the poultry sector following record heat and power outages that caused livestock mortality.
Tunisia's Ministry of Agriculture announced it will adjust production in the poultry sector to account for losses incurred during a record heatwave in July and August. Professionals in the sector reported a production deficit, though they stated it has not yet reached crisis levels. Saloua Dhaouadi of the ministry's Directorate General of Agricultural Production stated that the ministry, in coordination with sector stakeholders, will precisely assess the extent of losses to inform production adjustments.
Frequent electricity and water outages this summer disrupted ventilation and cooling systems in many poultry farms, leading to asphyxiation and mortality among flocks, particularly in small and medium-sized operations. Ms. Dhaouadi noted that production was affected by mortality, growth delays, and reduced productivity, especially in the broiler chicken sector, and also impacted some slaughterhouses. She recommended investing in and generalizing renewable energy use to adapt to climate change and prepare farms for unexpected power cuts.
The National Chamber of Poultry and White Meat Merchants reported a monthly poultry production shortage, but assessed the situation as not yet critical. Exceptional heatwaves, exacerbated by power and water cuts, caused poultry mortality and decreased productivity. Urgent measures are needed to limit losses, ensure production continuity, and maintain market balance, alongside medium and long-term programs to ensure sector sustainability and enhance its resilience to exceptional climate phenomena.
Why it mattersPoultry farmers and businesses face production losses and potential financial strain due to heat-related mortality and infrastructure failures.
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