Moroccan Produce Prices Surge: Pandemic and Supply Issues Hit Casablanca Markets

This surge is particularly noticeable in Casablanca where the price of tomatoes has doubled, reaching 6 DH/kg at the city’s market. The cost of potatoes is experiencing a 150% surge. "Zucchini, green peppers, carrots, turnips and green beans have followed the same trend," reports L’Economiste.

The end of variety and disruptions in supply chains explain this situation. Several market garden crops are coming to an end at the end of September. "In addition, exports of early crops generally end in July. Hence the drop in volumes from sorting differences," adds the same source.

The effects of the pandemic have also had an impact on the supply of the metropolis. Producers and fruit and vegetable traders were unable to transport their production due to the quarantine of the city.

But the picture is not the same in Rabat, notes the newspaper, which indicates that the prices of certain vegetables such as onions and green peppers are affordable there.

"On the other hand, the price of fresh round tomatoes reaches an unprecedented level: 10 DH/kg. Between wholesale and retail, the ratio is sometimes 1 to 5," details L’Économiste, which concludes: "We have to wait until next October for the supply of the national market to regain its cruising speed."