LOC00:13
21:13 GMT
TUNIS, July 16 (KUNA) -- Tunisian food exports to Libya, since the eruption
of the armed rebelion aiming at removing Muammar Gaddafi, have increased
fourfold in the first half of 2011 to hit TND 192.2 million compared to TND 53.
1 million during the first four months of this year.
The previous remarks were made Saturday by Lotfi Khdhir, foreign commerce
monitor in the Trade and Tourism Ministry.
The Tunisian official attributed this increase to the big hike in the value
of foodstuffs exported to Libya, particularly the rise recorded in the sales
of vegetable oils which amounted to TND 61.1 million by the end of last June
compared to TND 12.5 million during the first four months of the same year.
Khdhir asserted that the value of cereals exports from Tunisia to Libya
over the same period has also soared from TND 4.8 million to TND 20.1 million,
while the value of flour sales rose from TND 100,000 to TND nine million, and
those regarding milk sales increased from TND 3.1 million from TND 6.6 million.
Tunisian foodstuffs exports accounted for 85 percent of the total Tunisian
exports to the Libyan market in last June compared to 74 percent during last
May, he explained
Tunisian Ras Jdir border crossing between Tunisia and Libya sees an
intensive trade traffic with demand for agricultural products and foodstuffs
soaring, making Libya the largest market receipent of Tunisian exports
including agricultural products, and foodstuffs with a share exceeding 24
percent of total exports late last June.
In spite of the positive results recorded in the trade field, such progress
arouses in the meantime some concern on the part of the inhabitants of
Tunisian border region on the adverse effects of such development on food
supply and demand in Tunisia as the Holy Month of Ramadan in which consumption
rises by more than 30 percent compared to other months is around the corner.
(end)
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