The Moroccan government has temporarily halted the issuance of new licenses for the export of tomatoes, onions and potatoes in a move aimed at protecting the domestic market and citizens’ purchasing power.
Head of Government Fatima Zahra Al-Mansouri announced the decision on Nov 12 during the weekly Council of Government meeting.
She described the protection of household purchasing power as the administration’s top priority amid rising prices of basic foodstuffs and fuel.
According to an official statement, the temporary suspension of new export authorizations for the three staple vegetables is intended to ensure sufficient supply on the national market.
Al-Mansouri stressed that the measure would be applied while still taking into account the interests of Moroccan farmers and the country’s partners in Africa.
The government has also set up an inter-ministerial committee to monitor price developments on a continuous basis and is maintaining exceptional support for road transport professionals.
Officials underlined the need for daily price tracking and early preparations ahead of Ramadan.
The decision comes as prices of several vegetables have drawn public attention in recent weeks.
