![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LG3GQRHHOVGHLJRQCUYROXDYM4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=38e43c28d3dc4e64567d72cb635fec7c7dc0a76b6866212a053e351b414e98f2&width=400&height=225)
Tunisian President Kais Saied has urged officials to find a speedy solution to the shortages
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CZPURIMMZ5ARRFLLET2HK274XA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ac35792e1e27287d904fbefffb12a56914399b266487b0a7a5831df7fb26f201&width=400&height=225)
Six months ago, Chokri and Saadia built a tiny shop selling mlawi — a thin flatbread made of fine semolina — beside their home in a Tunis suburb. All photos: Ghaya Ben Mbarek / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BFA42QHJY5EULGFDXQOHTJAULM.jpg?smart=true&auth=23bea234ab1d89d75067362813f2c78b4c7cc19ae0c5b947f25575b79fcd0882&width=400&height=225)
Now, a shortage of wheat-based products is creating problems for the couple
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LB3IUDDBQ5HBJHL3LND43TLU7A.jpeg?smart=true&auth=61db0a787b3182f46277c25af9c2e72d67c2475640020473af7ae690b2a9b832&width=400&height=225)
'We barely managed to get two 10kg semolina bags yesterday,' Chokri told The National from his shop counter
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y6CEEXKQ45DRRHB4YPM742AENM.jpg?smart=true&auth=753cb8fded1577ab9616980528ecc8defdc4c8eba436420f9e03ceb77d325549&width=400&height=225)
Saadia and her husband's job got harder as could obtain only thick semolina, which is not easy to work with in their mlawi business.=
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GYVDS5IRDZEPDNFJUVF236I3AE.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f0e1d4cd647582f59c5482d5d08302edc9d44612a3d0101f1225a8de060b919&width=400&height=225)
Saadia has blisters on her hands from almost constant kneading
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LG3GQRHHOVGHLJRQCUYROXDYM4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=38e43c28d3dc4e64567d72cb635fec7c7dc0a76b6866212a053e351b414e98f2&width=400&height=225)
Tunisian President Kais Saied has urged officials to find a speedy solution to the shortages
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CZPURIMMZ5ARRFLLET2HK274XA.jpeg?smart=true&auth=ac35792e1e27287d904fbefffb12a56914399b266487b0a7a5831df7fb26f201&width=400&height=225)
Six months ago, Chokri and Saadia built a tiny shop selling mlawi — a thin flatbread made of fine semolina — beside their home in a Tunis suburb. All photos: Ghaya Ben Mbarek / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BFA42QHJY5EULGFDXQOHTJAULM.jpg?smart=true&auth=23bea234ab1d89d75067362813f2c78b4c7cc19ae0c5b947f25575b79fcd0882&width=400&height=225)
Now, a shortage of wheat-based products is creating problems for the couple
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LB3IUDDBQ5HBJHL3LND43TLU7A.jpeg?smart=true&auth=61db0a787b3182f46277c25af9c2e72d67c2475640020473af7ae690b2a9b832&width=400&height=225)
'We barely managed to get two 10kg semolina bags yesterday,' Chokri told The National from his shop counter
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Y6CEEXKQ45DRRHB4YPM742AENM.jpg?smart=true&auth=753cb8fded1577ab9616980528ecc8defdc4c8eba436420f9e03ceb77d325549&width=400&height=225)
Saadia and her husband's job got harder as could obtain only thick semolina, which is not easy to work with in their mlawi business.=
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GYVDS5IRDZEPDNFJUVF236I3AE.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f0e1d4cd647582f59c5482d5d08302edc9d44612a3d0101f1225a8de060b919&width=400&height=225)
Saadia has blisters on her hands from almost constant kneading
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LG3GQRHHOVGHLJRQCUYROXDYM4.jpeg?smart=true&auth=38e43c28d3dc4e64567d72cb635fec7c7dc0a76b6866212a053e351b414e98f2&width=400&height=225)
Tunisian President Kais Saied has urged officials to find a speedy solution to the shortages