London — Charlotte Wilson —
A senior official from the moroccan Association of Exporters of Various Products to Africa and Beyond has revealed that Mauritanian authorities have implemented a decision to prohibit the entry of moroccan tomatoes into their territory. The move is reportedly aimed at “protecting domestic produce.” The source noted that the majority of morocco’s tomato exports to African markets are currently directed toward Senegal and Mali.
The official acknowledged that these restrictions, including those imposed by Mauritania and other African countries, have significantly impacted morocco’s total tomato exports to the continent. Current exports are said to be less than 20% of the usual volume.
However, the source dismissed the possibility of moroccan authorities suspending tomato exports to Africa, emphasizing that tomatoes remain readily available in Moroccan wholesale markets, particularly in Inezgane. As of Thursday, February 26, 2024, prices ranged between 175 and 200 dirhams per 30-kilogram crate.
While prices in wholesale markets are currently stable, the official warned that they could rise during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, a period of high tomato consumption in morocco. “This is largely due to speculators and intermediaries,” the source explained, referencing recent revelations by Abdelilah Maoul Hatim. “These practices harm moroccan citizens first and foremost, as well as our own interests.”
morocco Boosts Tomato Exports to Europe Amid African Restrictions
Despite the challenges in African markets, morocco has significantly increased its tomato exports to Europe, emerging as the second-largest supplier of tomatoes to the European Union in 2024. According to a recent report by Hortoinfo, based on data from Euroestacom and ICEX-Eurostat, morocco has surpassed Spain, which has lost its leading position in the sector.
The same source revealed that morocco’s tomato exports to the EU have surged by 47.18% since 2016, while Spain’s exports have declined by 34.2%. The Netherlands also saw a decrease of 21.11% in its tomato exports during the same period.
In 2024, morocco exported 579.79 million kilograms of tomatoes, exceeding Spain’s 531.77 million kilograms. This represents a decline of approximately 276.35 million kilograms for Spain compared to 2016.
morocco’s tomato exports generated revenues of 999.04 million euros (approximately 10.411 billion dirhams), marking an increase of 581.72 million euros (over 6 billion dirhams) compared to 2016. The average price per kilogram stood at 1.72 euros (around 17.93 dirhams).
Balancing Domestic and International Markets
While morocco faces challenges in African markets due to import restrictions, its growing presence in the European market highlights the resilience and adaptability of its agricultural sector. The country’s ability to maintain stable domestic prices while expanding its export footprint underscores its strategic positioning in the global tomato trade.
However, concerns remain about the impact of intermediaries and speculators on domestic prices, particularly during periods of high demand such as Ramadan. Addressing these issues will be crucial to ensuring the sustainability of morocco’s agricultural exports and the well-being of its citizens.
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