The organizer of the “Coffee Spring” exhibition has called for a national summit to tackle the plague of smuggled coffee, which has inflicted an estimated 373 billion dinars in losses on Tunisia’s economy and threatens to shutter hundreds of companies.
Faouzi Ben Taleb, who runs the third edition of the event currently underway at the El Kram exhibition center from April 16 to 19, urged the government to convene a roundtable bringing together all stakeholders to find a solution to contraband coffee flooding the country.
“The damage caused by smuggled coffee is not just about businesses closing and thousands of workers losing their jobs,” Ben Taleb said. “It is also a matter of public health and national security.”
Speaking on the sidelines of a workshop held during the exhibition, he noted that recommendations from the session would be forwarded to the highest levels of government to shed light on the issue and seek viable remedies.
A ‘year of consolidation’
Describing the third edition as a “year of affirmation and consolidation,” Ben Taleb highlighted strong participation from coffee producers and young innovators who have proven their mettle in global markets. Visitor numbers have surged, he said, with 3,400 attendees recorded in a single day and expectations of reaching 8,000 by the close of the event—not only professionals but also ordinary citizens.
60% of consumption smuggled
Jamel Weslati, CEO of a Tunisian company that fully exports its coffee production, warned that national consumption stands at 54,000 tons per year, of which 60% is smuggled goods. That reality, he said, threatens 285 local companies struggling to survive the scourge of illicit trade.
easlati proposed liberalizing the sector to ensure fair competition, transparency, and price adjustments.
Indonesian ambassador sees potential in northwest Tunisia
Zouhair Misraoui, Indonesia’s ambassador to Tunisia, expressed admiration for young Tunisian professionals who are creating innovative coffee blends, such as moringa coffee and pistachio coffee, capable of competing with major global brands.
“Coffee must be a bridge of communication between nations,” said Misraoui, whose country produces 800,000 tons of coffee annually. He also observed that Tunisia’s northwestern regions hold untapped potential for coffee cultivation.
Facts and figures
The third edition of “Coffee Spring” hosts 54 companies across 1,500 square meters, covering coffee production and related sectors including roasting equipment, cafés, restaurants, furniture, bakeries, ice cream parlors, juice bars, and more.
TunisianMonitorNews (Dhouha)
