Moroccan farmers are increasingly shifting operations to Mauritania and Senegal after vegetable exports to African markets dropped sharply, professional associations said this week.
The decline follows Moroccan authorities’ decision to restrict exports of staple crops such as potatoes, onions, tomatoes and carrots in a bid to stabilize domestic supply and protect consumers from soaring prices.
While consumer advocates welcomed the measures as necessary to preserve purchasing power, exporters warned the restrictions could have lasting economic consequences. They argue that the domestic market alone cannot cover high production costs, leaving Morocco at risk of losing key African markets it has served for more than two decades.
“Morocco has become an unreliable supplier of fruits and vegetables for several African countries,” said Mohamed Zamrani, president of the Moroccan Association of Exporters of Goods to Africa and Abroad. “These markets have turned to more reliable sources, while encouraging local and foreign investment.”
Zamrani said Moroccan exports of fruits and vegetables to Africa have fallen by nearly 70%, blaming what he called sudden and imprudent decisions to ban shipments without consulting stakeholders. He added that African partners have since reduced their reliance on Moroccan produce and increased their own local production.
Mauritania, once a top importer of Moroccan produce, now imposes customs duties of more than 30,000 dirhams ($3,000) per truck, a move seen by exporters as a reaction to Morocco’s restrictions. Combined with logistical hurdles at the Guerguerat border crossing and rising input costs, the measures have pushed many farmers to relocate to other African markets, Zamrani said.
“If things continue this way, on top of drought pressures, Morocco could shift from being a supplier of vegetables to Africa to becoming an importer,” he warned.
Consumer rights groups argue that the government’s priority is justified. Bouazza Kherrati, president of the Moroccan Consumer Rights Federation, said authorities acted within pricing and competition laws when they moved to curb exports after prices spiked.
Kherrati said that when production exceeds domestic demand, exports should be encouraged to generate foreign currency, but cautioned that exports must not undermine affordability for Moroccan consumers. He noted that more than 23% of fruits and vegetables are lost before reaching markets, highlighting inefficiencies in the supply chain.
“The key is to strike a balance,” Kherrati said. “Consumers have the right to access these products at reasonable prices, while exports remain vital for the national economy.”
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