Morocco resumes tomatoes exports

Morocco resumed the exports of tomatoes capped at 1000 tons daily, professionals said, after a ban that lasted weeks.

Morocco had banned exports of tomatoes to African markets and reduced shipments to Europe after prices surged to unprecedented levels.

The government spokesman Mustapha Baitas had said that the measures were aimed at reducing prices in Moroccan markets.

Production was compromised this year due to a cold snap and diseases as well as rising production costs, according to farmers.

Inflation in Morocco soared to 10.1%, driven mainly by food prices which spiked 20.1%, triggering fears of structural inflation.

Morocco is the fourth largest exporter of tomatoes globally, and the second supplier to the EU market ahead of Spain and after the Netherlands.