Moroccan Concerns Mount Over Algerian Date Safety as Ramadan Nears

Are the Algerian dates imported into Morocco of good quality? This is the question many Moroccan consumers are asking themselves just days before the month of Ramadan. These dates would contain pesticide residues and allergenic substances, which prompted France to recall in 2022 three brands of Algerian Deglet Nour dates due to the presence of banned products.

Faced with this growing concern, voices are being raised to call on the authorities to take urgent measures to guarantee the health safety of Moroccan consumers. "Algerian dates are renowned for their exceptional quality and enjoy an excellent reputation on the market," explains an agricultural expert, while noting, however, that the poor storage conditions of these dates after the harvest have necessarily impacted their quality.

The specialist reassures that as far as the alleged presence of pesticide residues in Algerian dates is concerned, the Moroccan authorities, through the National Office of Food Safety (ONSSA), are keeping a close eye and will strengthen controls to ensure the quality of imported products, including dates, and protect the health of consumers.

"For several years, the landscape of date imports has undergone notable changes. A large number of importers, once loyal to Algeria, have modified their supply system, turning to Tunisia. This transition, while pragmatic, has been largely motivated by the political and diplomatic difficulties that have impacted the relations between the neighboring countries," the expert further observes.