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Rabat – Moroccan associations for farmers blame the shortage of tomato exports to the UK on the “unusual temperature fluctuations,” according to a report from fruitnet.
Responding to the tomato shortage that the UK is currently facing, Apefel, and Amcom, two Moroccan associations of vegetable producers, exporters, and packers clarified that climate change is behind the notable drop in tomato production and exports to the UK.
Since the start of the growing season, the weather in Morocco was marked by “a long period of cold,” which was followed by “abnormally high temperatures,” the two associations explained.“
As a natural consequence, the daily harvest has dropped sharply, resulting in shortening the supply capacity of packing stations and provisions of the local Moroccan market, as well as markets abroad,” the report reads.
Adverse weather and its effect on production are causing “intense pressure from consumers on both sides of the Mediterranean.”
To contain the damage and avert domestic price hikes, Morocco took steps to stop “opportunistic exporting activities encouraged by high sales prices in some destinations.”
The associations continued to explain that the situation is only temporary and said that stakeholders in Morocco are undertaking huge efforts to restore balance to the domestic market and boost exports.
“We remain optimistic as we advance in the season toward more mild temperatures and increased production to return to a normal situation,” the statement adds. “Our aim and principal objective is to remain as reliable an origin as we are.”
Read Also: UK’s Tomato Supply Dips as Morocco Restricts Exports
