Morocco Faces Onion Price Surge; Agriculture Ministry Promises Relief

According to the ministry’s press release, the price increase observed on agricultural products, particularly onions, is due to "several combined factors". By way of explanation, the ministry’s message notes that "the cultivation of winter onion (green onion) is practiced mainly in rainfed areas (Bour) which have been negatively impacted by the low rainfall, especially during the months of January and February. During this period, the unfavorable climatic conditions that prevailed in the onion production areas, particularly in Chaouia and Doukkala and to a lesser extent in Saiss and Zaer, were the cause of a decrease of nearly 33% in production".

Another equally important factor highlighted by the press release is that "the marketing of green onions is coming to an end in May. April also marks the end of the marketing and storage campaign for the dry onion from the past season and the start of its new harvest". In addition, the start of the harvest this year coinciding with the beginning of Ramadan 1440, when household demand increases, the market has experienced a disruption due to the imbalance between supply and demand, according to the same source.

The press release reassured that prices will return to normal with the gradual entry of the current season’s onion production and the easing of household demand as the month of Ramadan progresses.

Regarding tomatoes, "production is at good levels. On the eve of Ramadan, the market experienced good supply and a good price level. However, the production of early crops is coming to an end as the share of early and extra-early tomato acreage was significant during the 2018/19 season. This situation has resulted in lower volumes being placed on the local market during the month of May," the same source said.