In several markets across various regions of Morocco, the increase in the price of local onions is widespread. Several factors are at play, including the end of the season, the challenges in preserving the product, as well as attractive export opportunities to other markets on the African continent. DR ‹ › Since late March, onion prices have surged dramatically across Morocco. Depending on the region, prices have soared to 14, 15, even 16 or 18 dirhams per kilo. Despite a winter marked by unprecedented rainfall that boosted agricultural output and forecasts, this spike can be attributed to the end of the season for a staple cherished by households, according to Bouazza Kharrati, president of the Moroccan Consumer Rights Federation, in a conversation with Yabiladi. Speaking to Yabiladi, Kharrati highlighted that these price fluctuations are driven by «the market dynamics of supply and demand», while also considering «the seasonal nature of highly consumed varieties, where storage and preservation present significant challenges». «Fresh onions are priced at 7 dirhams per kilogram but are smaller in size, whereas imported ones cost nearly 10 dirhams per kilo», Kharrati explains. With the new local planting season underway, the current crop won't be available until summer. Meanwhile, «some traders, aiming to avoid stock losses, are redirecting sales to other African markets, exacerbating the scarcity of certain varieties», Kharrati notes. He also points out the issue of «speculation by certain intermediaries in local markets». Modernizing Agriculture and Tackling Speculation To combat these issues, Kharrati calls for stricter enforcement of market price regulations to protect consumer purchasing power and ensure fair competition. Additionally, he emphasizes the «importance» of initiatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests to «enhance and modernize the onion production sector». Kharrati highlights that «the storage of onions, which are prone to spoilage due to their high water content, remains rudimentary compared to expectations and quality standards». «This forces producers to offload their harvests at any cost», he explains. Furthermore, Kharrati underscores «the urgent need to address the dominance of intermediaries in the Moroccan fruit and vegetable market, who often engage in informal practices». He also recommends «prohibiting exports during periods of high domestic demand».
