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Rabat – Morocco imposed a ban on the exports of tomatoes, onions, and potatoes to West Africa in a bid to prevent vegetable prices from surging ahead of Ramadan.
Morocco’s food export watchdog reached out to traders by phone and informed them of the measure, according to a Thursday statement by a fresh produce association and a government official, Reuters reported.
The Moroccan export authorities cited the need to maintain the country’s food security following the dramatic rise in tomato prices.
A Moroccan official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said the ban entered into force on Thursday and extends to any truck carrying the vegetables to West African countries.
In recent weeks, tomato prices rose drastically on the backdrop of adverse cold weather and the high-production cost due to rising fertilizer prices, leading to low output. Exports to Europe have also exacerbated the trend.
While the ban is expected to stabilize prices domestically, it was not popular among traders as they maintain it will affect many livelihoods in the sector.
Deputy head of the Moroccan association of African market suppliers, Mohamed Zemrani, told Reuters that the ban would harm many traders.
“The export ban means bankruptcy for many suppliers with the loss of outstanding payments exposing many to lawsuits as well as a loss of job opportunities,” he said.
The head of the Moroccan association further added that the ban had been passed without consulting with traders.
Read Also: Morocco May Soon Overtake Spain as Europe’s Biggest Tomatoes Supplier
