Morocco Halts Tomato Exports to Curb Soaring Domestic Prices

The head of Morocco’s main fruit and vegetable export group said the kingdom has restricted tomato exports since late February, with a total ban imposed during the week to bring down domestic prices. In a statement to Reuters on Friday, Lahoucine Aderdour, head of the Moroccan Federation of Fruit and Vegetable Exporters (FIFEL), said the Ministry of Agriculture had agreed to a daily export quota last month, before halting all exports from March 18 to 22, with a lower quota of 700 tons per day starting Thursday.

He also added that exporters received a quota of 1,000 tons on Friday, less than the usual 1,500 tons. The official also specified that more expensive products, such as cherry tomatoes, which account for more than half of Morocco’s tomato exports, are not affected by the restrictions.

This year, vegetable crops have been severely disrupted by bad weather in Morocco and Spain. This has resulted in shortages in Europe and rising prices that have contributed to pushing inflation in the UK to 10.4% in February.

Traders are already expressing concerns about the impact of the export reductions on their market share in key EU and UK markets. "We are not honoring our long-term supply contracts," said a trader to the news agency, noting that the bulk of contracts with British customers are signed a year in advance at fixed prices. "Morocco’s credibility as a stable tomato supplier to the EU and UK markets is at stake," he added.