The influx of dates from Tunisia, Algeria sparks frustration among Moroccan producers

Foreign dates are causing frustration among local producers, whose yields declined due to climate challenges – including drought. Rabat - With Ramadan around the corner, local producers in Morocco have expressed growing concerns about the influx of dates from Algeria and Tunisia into Moroccan markets. Moroccan newspaper Al Ittihad, affiliated with the Socialist Union political party, quoted data, suggesting that dates from Algeria and Tunisia “are flooding” Moroccan markets. The newspaper's data stressed that the supply of Tunisian and Algerian dates in Morocco affects locally-sourced products. “Wholesale dates markets in Derb Mila’ in Casablanca are witnessing an unprecedented supply of Algerian dates this year,” the newspaper said today. Dates are among the products that are widely consumed during Ramadan. Muslims across the world often eat dates as part of their first meal to break the fast as they are full of minerals and vitamins that offer a burst of instant energy. Quoting ...