Mauritania Formalizes Agricultural Pact to Boost National Food Sovereignty

A memorandum of agreement was officially signed over the weekend in Nouakchott between national agricultural producers and vegetable distributors, marking a strategic move to enhance the marketing of domestically grown potatoes and onions.
The agreement, which was witnessed by senior government officials and industry representatives, was facilitated under the guidance of the President of the Republic, Mr Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, whose directives emphasize food self-sufficiency and sovereignty. The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Trade and Tourism Zeinebou Mint Ahmednah, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Momma Beibatta, and President of the National Union of Mauritanian Employers Mohamed Zeine El Abidine Cheikh Ahmed.
Under the terms of the agreement, all importers and distributors affiliated with the National Union of Potato and Onion Distributors are to prioritise the purchase of available national produce, provided that it meets established quality benchmarks. The packaging of products must clearly state their Mauritanian origin, and fixed wholesale prices were set—15 Ouguiyas per kilogram for potatoes and 14 for onions. Retail prices were capped at 25 and 24 Ouguiyas per kilogram, respectively, as part of a broader effort to stabilise the market and shield consumers from inflationary pressures.
To ensure compliance with the memorandum, a dedicated monitoring committee was established. This body includes representatives from the Ministry of Commerce and Tourism’s Directorate of Consumer Protection and Fraud Suppression, the Ministry of Agriculture’s National Company for Rural Development, and various agricultural unions. Signatories to the agreement include key stakeholders such as the “Itqan” Group, the National Union of Horticultural Professions, and the Union of Importers. The agreement is set to be implemented with immediate effect, reinforcing national efforts to reduce import dependency and bolster domestic agricultural production.