Moroccan Government: Exports, Market Issues to Blame for Soaring Tomato Prices

Rabat – Morocco’s government has reassured citizens that the country’s tomato production is “very sufficient to meet demand.”

Spokesperson of the government Mustapha Baitas clarified that the tomato sector has no problem in terms of product availability.

He said that farmers resorted to greenhouses for tomato production in the region of Chtouka during the period marked by lower temperatures.

The reassuring statement from the government comes amid soaring prices in tomato products.

Prices of tomatoes are ranging between MAD 10 ($1.02) and MAD 12 ($1.22)  per kilogram, angering citizens with average purchasing power.

Tomatoes are consumed in large quantities during the holy month of Ramadan, which is a few weeks away.

Morocco is expected to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan on April 3. Tomatoes are commonly used in Ramadan as Moroccans use it to prepare harira, a  popular soup with chickpeas and lentils which Moroccans consume during breakfast.

Baitas commented on the soaring prices of tomatoes,saying that the rise is explained by the “exponential increase” in demand in the international market.

“There was a pronounced orientation towards exports, while the internal market, not being rational, suffered a number of dysfunctions linked to the proliferation of intermediaries whose speculation weighs on prices,” he explained.

Baitas continued to add that the government has responded with a range of available mechanisms, predicting lower prices in the next two days.

He also expressed the hope to reach an agreement with transport professionals, who have been on strike to protest economic repercussions due to significant increases in fuel prices.

On Thursday, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch called for a meeting with transport operators, who have been on strike since Monday, March 7.

The meeting will take place next week, to discuss the demands of transport operators and find solutions to overcome their difficult circumstances as well as preserve the consumer purchasing power amid the global rise in fuel prices.