MEA Risk Brief: The average daily purchases of food products in Tunisia, including couscous, semolina, flour, pasta, etc., have skyrocketed these days, increasing tenfold in some parts, according to research from the Tunisia news agency TAP. Detergent and bleach volume sales nearly doubled, according to TAP’s observations of big stores in the capital Tunis. Interviewed by TAP, store officials attribute the spike to the public fear of coronavirus, having observed increases taking place ever since the announcement of the first case of the virus in Tunisia. Some store managers say they are now forced to double their own supply scheduled to four times a week to accommodate the high demand. In view of this buying spree, the supermarkets are also forced to limit the quantities sold for certain products, in particular flour, semolina, milk and water. Consumer advocates and agencies are calling on households and buyers to remain calm and not to storm shops and supermarkets just as a fear over the coronavirus.
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