The Moroccan government has removed the export ban on potatoes and onions to Africa, initially implemented to address domestic price surges. This development is a response to the challenges faced by local producers and exporters due to previous restrictions. To manage the exports, the Moroccan authorities have established a quota system, limiting the total exports to 1,500 tons, allocated equally among Casablanca-Settat, Meknes-Tafilalet, and Souss-Massa regions, each with a 500-ton cap.
Despite the market's reopening, the Moroccan Association of Producers and Exporters to Africa and Abroad has voiced concerns over the quota restrictions, attributing the domestic price increases to internal factors rather than exports. The association emphasized the surplus in production and the presence of unsold stocks from the previous year, advocating for a collaborative decision-making process with the authorities to effectively manage the market and resource allocation.
The lifting of the export ban follows concerted efforts by Moroccan farmers to address the negative financial impacts caused by the export limitations, with the government acknowledging the need to reassess the situation. As Morocco navigates the complexities of balancing domestic market demands with export potentials, stakeholders remain watchful, aiming to prevent future market disruptions and ensure economic stability for producers.
Source: apanews.net