Restrictions on tomato exports, particularly to African markets, along with the end of the EU quota period, have driven prices down sharply in Morocco's local market. The decision was taken to stabilize the local market after a season marked by disease outbreaks and storm-related damage to greenhouses. DR ‹ › Restrictions on Moroccan tomato exports in recent days have pushed prices down in the local market, growers told Yabiladi. «Today, a 30-kilo box of tomatoes starts at 90 dirhams, around 3 dirhams per kilo, reflecting a drop of nearly half in prices», said Ahmed Afkir, a tomato farmer in the Souss-Massa region. «Just 15 days ago, tomato prices were soaring, reaching up to 10 dirhams per kilo and selling for 7 to 9 dirhams at the wholesale market», he added. This sharp decline is primarily linked to the temporary halt of tomato exports to African countries, a measure that was verbally communicated to growers. At the same time, exports to the European Union have slowed following the end of the preferential quota period. «Normally, during this period, the quota for Moroccan tomatoes in the European market is exhausted. From that point on, every kilogram exported to the EU is subject to customs duties of around 1.20 dirhams», Afkir explained. The EU applies a tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system, under which exports beyond a certain threshold become less profitable due to additional duties. As a result, growers tend to limit shipments during this period, Afkir explained. Weather damage Beyond export dynamics, production has also been affected by plant diseases and adverse weather conditions. «There is not enough tomato for export, mainly due to a disease that affected crops, along with rainfall that triggered outbreaks of downy mildew (late blight), leading to a shortage in supply», Afkir said. Amine Amantoullah, another grower, confirmed the halt in exports to African markets while stressing that exports to Europe have not been suspended. «Authorities instructed growers not to export to African markets to stabilize domestic prices and ensure food security», he told Yabiladi. He also pointed to the lasting impact of the February storm that struck the Souss-Massa region, severely damaging tomato greenhouses and disrupting production. «Greenhouse repairs following the strong winds remain incomplete as growers were unable to cover all the costs», he said. He added that the situation has been further complicated by shortages of essential materials, particularly plastic coverings used for greenhouses, as well as a lack of skilled labor required to carry out the repairs. As a result, some farms have not yet returned to full production, prolonging the impact of the storm on both supply and market dynamics. Despite a field visit by Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari and an assessment of the damage, growers say that no financial aid has yet been provided to support repairs.
