Morocco's Agriculture Minister, Mohamed Sadiki, has refuted claims that the recent significant drop in fruit and vegetable prices is a result of Mauritania's new customs duties on Moroccan goods. In an interview Sadiki stated that Mauritania is still importing Moroccan produce and that the correlation between the price drop and the customs adjustment is coincidental.
Recently, Moroccans have been enjoying lower prices for fruits and vegetables, a development some have linked to Mauritania's increased customs duties on Moroccan produce. The sudden hike in duties, up to 171%, has raised concerns, particularly in Mauritania. A consumer-focused forum warned that this could worsen the financial struggles of the country's residents.
"We condemn this measure, which aggravates concerns and erodes the purchasing power of the consumer, already burdened by the continuous rise in prices, the monopoly, and high prices," the forum stated on January 6.
Sadiki clarified that Mauritania has merely adjusted customs duties, causing some logistical delays, but has not stopped importing Moroccan products. He also emphasized the importance of exports, particularly when supply exceeds domestic demand, and reassured citizens that his ministry will intervene if domestic demand is insufficient.
Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com