Siwar Derbeli, a young Tunisian woman, is directly affected by the national rice shortage. For individuals like Derbeli, who suffer from coeliac disease, rice is one of the few staple foods they can comfortably consume. Unfortunately, the scarcity of imported goods, including wheat, sugar, cooking oil, dairy products, and now rice, has been increasingly prevalent in Tunisia since last year.
While rice may not be the most common staple in Tunisia, it is essential for the estimated 100,000 people with coeliac disease in the country. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that triggers a dangerous response to gluten, making gluten-free rice an indispensable dietary option.
“You come home and can’t find the basic food you need to eat. It’s a very unfortunate situation,” says Derbeli, who is only 18 years old. Her mother, Hasna Arfaoui, faces the challenge of providing expensive gluten-free pasta as an alternative, which is difficult to afford for an unemployed widow with three children.
According to Monji ben Hriz, the president of the Tunisian Association for Coeliac Disease, no rice shipments are expected until December, and the state-held stocks have already depleted. While some privately imported rice is available, its cost is significantly higher, making it unaffordable for many Tunisians.
The Tunisian government has denied that the shortages are solely due to the financial crisis the country is facing, with talks for a foreign bailout at a standstill. However, economists, political analysts, and Tunisia’s influential labor union believe that the government is deliberately delaying or halting imports of subsidised goods to manage a $5 billion budget deficit, despite the increasing hardships faced by the public.
Unfortunately, the rice shortage not only creates inconveniences but also poses health risks for individuals with coeliac disease who struggle to find suitable alternatives. “People are now enduring real difficulties sourcing rice, and there are those who have changed their diet for this reason, jeopardising their health”, warns ben Hriz.
Overall, the ongoing rice shortage in Tunisia not only highlights the challenges faced by individuals with coeliac disease but also sheds light on the broader economic struggles in the country. Tunisians are left grappling with the consequences of limited access to essential food items, impacting their livelihoods and well-being.