Moroccan agricultural exporters have warned that a prolonged suspension of tomato, potato and onion exports to African markets could undermine established trade relationships and allow competing suppliers to capture market share.
The exporters are urging the government to introduce export quotas rather than maintain a complete suspension, arguing that limited shipments could preserve access to key West African markets while protecting domestic food supplies.
The restrictions, which took effect on November 5, remained in place on November 10 following a meeting between exporters and Morocco’s Agriculture Minister, Ahmed El Bouari, on Monday.
Mohamed Zemrani, president of the Moroccan Association of Producers and Exporters of Various Products to Africa, said the minister had confirmed that exports of other agricultural products could continue, while tomatoes, potatoes and onions remained restricted.
The government has justified the measures as necessary to protect domestic availability, prevent shortages and contain rising food prices.
“There are real production constraints. Take potatoes, for example: the local market relies on stocks until the next harvest at the end of November,” Zemrani said, according to FreshPlaza.
Exporters Propose Quotas to Protect African Markets
While acknowledging the government’s concerns about domestic food supplies, exporters are calling for a controlled export arrangement that would allow limited quantities of the three vegetables to reach African markets.
“We called for a quota and a preserved export volume to West Africa, rather than an outright ban,” Zemrani said.
He warned that Moroccan exporters risk losing markets they have spent years developing if restrictions continue, as competing suppliers could establish themselves in the affected countries.
The suspension follows rising food prices in Morocco and production challenges affecting domestic agricultural supplies, particularly tomatoes in the Souss-Massa region, the country’s main tomato-producing area.
The government initially suspended agricultural exports to African markets before allowing shipments of other fruit and vegetable varieties to resume under tighter controls. Tomatoes, potatoes and onions remain excluded, with any resumption dependent on domestic supply and price conditions.
Mauritania and Senegal Among Affected Markets
The restrictions could have significant implications for Morocco’s agricultural trade with several West African countries, particularly Mauritania and Senegal.
World Bank trade data cited in the report shows that Morocco exported 34,154 tonnes of fresh tomatoes to Mauritania in 2025, valued at approximately $7.77 million.
Senegal imported a further 11,540 tonnes of Moroccan tomatoes, worth approximately $2.92 million during the same year.
Moroccan onions also have established markets in the region. In 2025, Morocco exported approximately 20,162 tonnes to Mauritania and 13,774 tonnes to Côte d’Ivoire.
These trade volumes highlight the importance of West African markets to Moroccan vegetable exporters and the potential commercial implications of prolonged restrictions.
Exporters Hope for an Early Resumption
Zemrani said representatives of growers attending Monday’s meeting expected the restrictions to be temporary and expressed optimism that exports could return to normal soon.
In the meantime, Moroccan exporters continue supplying other agricultural products to African markets while awaiting a government decision on tomatoes, potatoes and onions.
The developments highlight the tension between protecting domestic food affordability and maintaining agricultural export relationships.
For Morocco, the challenge will be balancing domestic supply requirements with the interests of exporters seeking to preserve established markets across Africa.