Tunisia's cows disappear into Algeria
Tunisia's livestock is being increasingly smuggled to Algeria as a severe shortage of milk is hitting Tunisian markets.
EL KEF, Tunisia — Concerns have been mounting in Tunisia that the increasing smuggling of livestock toward neighboring Algeria in the east could worsen the food crisis affecting Tunisia, where markets are experiencing a severe shortage of dairy products.
On Oct. 23, law enforcement authorities announced the seizure of 20 cows that smugglers intended to cross to Algeria.
Algeria and Tunisia share a 1,034-kilometer (642-mile) land border and smuggling of various goods such as gasoline and livestock is rampant in both directions.
Some farmers have been trying to get rid of their livestock because of the high cost of keeping them. Smugglers rush to buy them at a low cost and then smuggle them out of the country, various farmers associations have reported.
