Oussama Machi, a prominent vegetable grower in Agadir, forecasted a significant increase in tomato prices for the upcoming season, predicting a rise of up to 20% compared to last year.
“There will be no tomato overproduction or surplus in Morocco next season,” said Machi,
Machi, who is closely monitoring the sector through Fresh Plaza, a global trade media platform for fresh produce, expects that the next season will closely mirror the 2022-2023 period.
Machi noted that despite the less severe climate conditions influenced by the El Niño/La Niña cycle, the Souss Massa region is facing a resurgence of Tobrfv disease. This phytosanitary issue has already affected approximately 5% of tomato plantations, which could potentially lead to crop damage levels comparable to or exceeding those of the previous season.
“We anticipate a challenging season ahead, with a projected decrease in tomato acreage by 10-15% compared to last year,” Machi said. “Tomatoes are becoming increasingly problematic due to viruses and market uncertainties.”
Planting for the new season is currently underway, with some early plantings having started about five weeks ago. The first harvests are expected to begin in October, with the campaign extending through May.
This year, Moroccan tomato prices have fluctuated significantly. As of May, wholesale prices for tomatoes ranged from 50 to 100 MAD per box, while retail prices have surged to between 9 and 10 MAD.
The price increases have been attributed to a decline in production, which has led to higher prices for lower-quality tomatoes.
Experts have dismissed exports as a direct factor in the price surge, attributing the issue primarily to domestic production challenges.
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