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Casablanca – A new government measure regulating financial support for Moroccan fresh tomato exports has been introduced through a joint decision published in the latest edition of the Official Bulletin.
The measure establishes the amount and procedures for granting state aid aimed at promoting and diversifying exports of fresh tomatoes to markets outside the European Union and the United Kingdom.
The decision was signed by the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, the Minister of the Interior, and the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of the Budget.
It sets the public subsidy at MAD 750 per ton of fresh tomatoes exported by Moroccan operators, under specific conditions detailed in the official text.
According to the measure, the financial support applies only to quantities of tomatoes exported beyond a reference threshold calculated from previous export performance.
The reference level is based on the average volumes exported annually during the period running from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2020. Only exports exceeding that benchmark can benefit from the subsidy established by the government.
The decision also defines the official export season for fresh tomatoes. The period runs from September 1 of each year until August 31 of the following year. The aid concerns tomatoes exported by land or sea toward destinations located outside the European Union and the United Kingdom.
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Authorities also detailed how the reference quantities used to determine eligibility for the subsidy are calculated. For exporters that were active during the reference seasons, the benchmark corresponds to the average volume exported by each exporting unit during that period.
For operators that are new to export activities or that did not ship tomatoes during the reference years, the benchmark corresponds to the average export volume calculated for all exporting units.
Exporters wishing to benefit from the financial support must submit a formal application accompanied by supporting documents. The request must be filed with the competent provincial agricultural directorate or with the regional agricultural investment office responsible for the area where the exporting unit is located.
The application file must include documents confirming the identity of the applicant, certification of the exported quantities, proof of export accreditation delivered by the competent authority, and bank account details.
The regulation also establishes deadlines governing the submission and examination of the applications. Exporting units must submit their requests within a maximum period of six months following the end of the export season concerned.
A single extension of three additional months may be granted if a written request is submitted before the expiration of the initial deadline or in the event of a duly justified case of force majeure.
Once the file is submitted, the competent services are given thirty days to examine the documents. This period may be extended by sixty additional days if technical assessments are required.
At the end of the process, the administration notifies the applicant either of the approval of the request and the amount of the subsidy granted, or of any observations concerning the file.
