Morocco has suspended exports of certain types of vegetables to secure the needs of the domestic market.
This measure was taken given the soaring prices of most agricultural products and in order to rebalance the domestic market, reports the electronic site Hespress.
Citing an informed government source, the website said that Morocco has stopped exporting potatoes, onions and tomatoes via El-Guerguerat, the largest land border point in terms of trade activity to West Africa.
This measure seeks, according to Hespress, to strengthen control over these types of vegetables, which are experiencing soaring prices and can pass through unofficial channels, adding that “exports to European destinations are controlled by the state with producers and exporters of fruits and vegetables through licensing processes for the quantities allowed.”
The report also explained that “the state now requires exporters to give preference to the domestic market, a measure that would restore price stability before the month of Ramadan.”
This immediate action was taken last week, as part of government measures that relate mainly to reducing the rise in basic foodstuffs.
Already, the Agricultural Products Export Authority, Morocco Fodex, has banned from February 9, fruit and vegetable traders from exporting tomatoes, onions and potatoes to West African countries, in order to ensure food security in the kingdom after tomato prices rose to alarming levels.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a surge in the prices of tomatoes on the domestic market due to the decline in local supply related to cold waves that affects the region of Souss-Massa, the main production basin of the country (90 percent of the crop).
In the same vein and to cope with rising prices that affect the purchasing power of citizens, the government had also decided to suspend the import duties on cattle to ensure a normal supply of beef to the local market and this, following the drought experienced in the kingdom, the increase in feed prices due to the surge in prices worldwide, in addition to the increase in production costs of red meat, which has led to a decline in the supply of animals for slaughter.
This decision aims to overcome the obstacle of setting the weight of cows at 550 kg, highlighting the difficulties that suppliers find, especially in some markets and countries that are far from the European Union.
Commenting on the decision to suspend exports of certain vegetables, economic analyst Mohamed Jedry believes that “the suspension of exports of fruits and vegetables to Africa would help stabilise their prices, because exports to Africa compete with local demand.”
In a statement to Hespress, the Moroccan economist stressed that “only 18 percent of vegetables and fruits are intended for export, while 78 percent is reserved for to domestic consumption, the remaining 4 percent being intended for the food industry.”
According to him, “exports to Europe do not harm or affect the local market because they meet a number of criteria, and contribute to bringing hard currency to the Kingdom of Morocco.”
He notes that exports to Europe do not pose any problem, because they meet the required criteria, while exports to Africa compete with the local market, especially with regard to tomatoes, potatoes and other basic vegetables.
Morocco’s trade with Africa in 2022 showed an increase of 45 percent to reach a record of 65 billion DH, while the number of trucks leaving the kingdom for African markets increased by 88 percent, to reach 45,000, according to official data.
Agricultural food products accounted for 28 percent of the quantities transported.
