The Moroccan government waived the export ban on potatoes and onions to the West African markets, which was initially imposed to combat domestic price hikes, Fresh Plaza said on Monday.
Morocco banned the export of tomatoes, onions and potatoes to West Africa countries in an effort to keep vegetable prices from skyrocketing in February, ahead of Ramadan.
Following the huge increase in tomato prices, Moroccan export officials highlighted the necessity to ensure the country’s food security.
At the time, tomato prices soared due to harsh cold weather and high production costs caused by increased fertilizer prices, resulting in limited output. Exports to Europe have made the situation worse.
The resumption of export addresses the obstacles that local producers and exporters encountered as a result of past prohibitions.
To manage exports, Moroccan authorities have implemented a quota system that limits overall exports to 1,500 tons, divided evenly among the Casablanca-Settat, Meknes-Tafilalet and Souss-Massa regions, each with a 500-ton restriction.
Despite the market’s reopening, the Moroccan Association of Producers and Exporters to Africa and Abroad expressed worries about the quota limits, blaming domestic price hikes on internal issues rather than exports.
The group noted the previous year’s surplus in output and the presence of unsold stocks, arguing for a collaborative decision-making process with authorities to efficiently manage the market and allocate resources.
The easing of the export ban comes after Moroccan farmers worked together to address the negative financial implications of the export restrictions, and the government acknowledged the need to reassess the situation.
As Morocco navigates the intricacies of balancing internal market demands with export opportunities, stakeholders stay vigilant, hoping to avoid future market shocks and guarantee economic stability for producers.