Tomato export halt draws backlash from exporters, support from consumer advocates

Moroccan tomato exporters are continuing their strike against the suspension of tomato exports as wholesale market prices decline, while consumer protection groups are calling for domestic demand to take priority over foreign shipments.

Exporters say the government’s decision to halt exports does not necessarily lead to lower prices and instead exposes deeper structural problems in the agricultural production chain.

Mohamed Zemrani, president of the Moroccan Association of Exporters of Various Goods to Africa and Abroad, said exporters have completely stopped operations and are demanding either dialogue with authorities or immediate solutions to unresolved sector challenges.

“This sudden and arbitrary decision has created severe crises with our foreign partners,” Zemrani said, arguing that the suspension has damaged the credibility of Moroccan exporters and made it difficult for them to pay farmers, traders and transport operators.

He rejected claims linking rising living costs directly to exports, noting that prices of several vegetables — including potatoes, cucumbers and onions — have also increased sharply. He said only some imported goods from Spain have slightly helped stabilize the local market.

Zemrani blamed the situation on deeper disruptions in production chains rather than exports themselves, holding authorities responsible for the consequences and urging them to address structural issues instead of placing blame on exporters.

He added that rising costs are affecting not only vegetables, but also fish, livestock feed and other agriculture-related products, calling on the Agriculture Ministry to review its policies and align them with Morocco’s broader trade strategy, particularly with African partner countries.

Meanwhile, consumer advocates have urged the government to prioritize the domestic market.

Ali Chtour, head of the Moroccan Association for the Defense of Consumer Rights and a member of the Moroccan Federation of Consumer Rights, said ensuring self-sufficiency for Moroccan consumers must come first.

“With declining purchasing power and rising prices, citizens are under constant pressure,” Chtour said, stressing the need to guarantee the local availability of essential goods.

He said consumer groups are not opposed to exports in principle, especially given Morocco’s contractual obligations with international partners, but argued that domestic food security must remain the top priority.

“The balance between exports and local consumption requires putting the Moroccan citizen’s interests above all else,” he said. “Self-sufficiency is the only guarantee against price volatility and social instability under current conditions.”

Chtour added that generating foreign currency and expanding international trade should come only after securing the country’s internal food supply.