The government of Morocco tightens control over imported oils and pledges to finance markets to maintain price stability

Ahmed Bouari, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, announced the suspension of import duties on virgin and extra virgin olive oil in order to finance national markets and stabilize prices. Bouari, during the oral questions session in the House of Representatives, today, Monday, said that imported oils will be subject to strict monitoring by the health office, in addition to controlling the export of olive oil by granting licenses specifying the types and quantities allowed. The Minister of Agriculture said that the olive oil production chain was affected by successive years of drought even in irrigated areas, noting that “the high temperature during the flowering phase affected the yield.” The Minister of Agriculture explained that “these factors led to a decrease in olive oil production, as it is expected to ...