New Moroccan export quotas will halve tomato prices on the domestic market

Morocco is imposing quotas on tomato exports in an effort to boost local supplies and lower prices ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan. Rising input prices, pest attacks, and repeated droughts have combined to hamper production at the world’s fourth-largest tomato shipper. However, the restrictions on Morocco’s packing factories could exacerbate the produce shortfalls that have already sparked rationing at some European supermarkets. The Moroccan government has decided to cut tomato exports to all foreign destinations through the application of a daily export quota, said Asmaa Baibane, export manager of BL Agri. Asmaa explained: "Packing stations and exporters were informed of this decision on Sunday, February 19, with an immediate effect for an undetermined period. Its aim is to protect Moroccan consumers from the rise in tomato prices. Exporters have been informed that new exportation quotas will remain effective until prices return to normal averages". The decision does not ...