Morocco is maintaining its freeze on tomato exports to African markets, despite falling domestic prices and the end of the Eid al-Adha period. In a statement to the Moroccan media Hespress, the Moroccan Association of Exporters of Various Commodities to Africa confirmed the freeze remains in place
Association president Mohamed Zemrani told Hespress that the current collapse of exports to African markets is the sharpest exporters have faced in years, hitting tomatoes, watermelon, courgettes, peppers, and onions alike
The exporters’ representative adds that they “firmly reject accusations of greed” behind their calls to resume exports. He said competitors have benefited from the freeze to gain ground in African markets while destination countries are boosting local production to become self-sufficient as Morocco retreats
Agricultural consultant Riadh Ouhtita told the sameestic prices. Ouhtita added that the absence of binding contracts governing volumes or delivery schedules to African markets, in contrast with European markets, allows Morocco to suspend its exports without breaching any agreements
