By Enyichukwu Enemanna
In a bid to stabilise the prices of vegetable in the local market and forestall a possible hike, Morocco has announced a ban on the exports of tomatoes, onions, and potatoes to West Africa ahead of Ramadan.
The Moroccan export authorities cited the need to maintain the country’s food security following the dramatic rise in tomato prices as reason for the latest move.
A fresh produce association in a statement in the week, said the country’s food export watchdog has reached out to traders by phone and informed them of the measure.
A Moroccan official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the ban entered into force on Thursday and extends to any truck carrying the vegetables to West African countries, Reuters reports.
Tomato prices witnessed a significant increase in recent weeks 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.
He further added that the ban was passed without the consultation of the traders.
