The president of the consumer defense organization, Lotfi Riahi, indicated that the price of “Zgougou” (Aleppo pine seeds, the main ingredient of Assida) varies according to the region, with an average price of 55 dinars per kilo.
Intervening this Monday on the air Jawhara FMhe said that the prices of the other ingredients necessary for the preparation of Assida also experience an outbreak: the almond reached 44 dinars/kgnuts 48 dinars/kgthe pistachio 105 dinars/kgthe hazelnut 140 dinars/kgand concentrated milk 9 dinars. With the addition of sugar, flour and other components, the preparation cost of a kilo of assida now is around 140 dinars.
Lotfi Riahi also revealed that the quantities currently marketed come from last year’s harvest, the new picking being planned until next October. A situation that raises questions about the conditions for storing and conservation of this sensitive product.
According to him, the “Zgougou” national production capacity is estimated to 400 tonnesbut barely 20 % of this volume is really harvested. He accused some “lobbies” of controlling this process through concessions, in order to manipulate the offer and control prices.
Finally, the president of the consumer defense organization called for Value this resource and to operate it in the manufacture of various food products.
