Mauritania to cancel custom duty raises on Moroccan vegetables starting May 1

The Nouakchott government is preparing to cancel the increase in tariffs on vegetable imports from Morocco, according to a Hespress informed Mauritanian source.

“The decision will come into effect on Wednesday, May 1, after the period specified by the decree that approved increases in tariffs of more than 100%, imposed on some products of Moroccan origin.”

Since the approval of this increase, Moroccan producers and exporters, as well as Mauritanian importers, have called on the authorities in Nouakchott to reverse this decision.

The Mauritanian government continued to stick to these increases despite several meetings held by producers in this country with officials.

For its part, the Mauritanian Consumer Forum described the Mauritanian move, in an interview with Hespress, as a “big mistake.”

The Forum called on the Moroccan and Mauritanian governments to negotiate in order to reach an agreement that protects consumers in both countries.

Domestically, the tariffs hike was well-received by Moroccan citizens and social media users, who reacted to the decision with the hashtag “#ThanksMauritania”, as prices of vegetables in local markets returned to normal levels immediately after the decision, leading to many Moroccans calling for its continued implementation.