Morocco paused tomato exports to African markets on Thursday, November 5 to ensure steady domestic supply and help lower prices at home, Reuters reported from Rabat, citing the head of the Moroccan fresh produce exporters federation FIFEL and a government source.

Source: Reuters

Tomato prices have surged on Morocco's domestic market because of lower productivity in Souss Massa, the country's main producing region, as well as higher fertiliser and fuel costs, Reuters said. Round tomatoes now sell for 17 to 18 dirhams a kilo at retail in several Moroccan cities, while wholesale prices in Casablanca ranged from 3 to 9 dirhams on October 28, according to Moroccan outlets Médias24 and Le360.

Source: Reuters / Médias24-Le360 via Magna

Temporary — and Europe is exempt

Exporters serving African markets were informed of the decision, FIFEL head Lahoucine Aderdour told Reuters by phone, without providing further details. A government source, who requested anonymity, called the halt 'temporary', said it aims to help organise the market, and added that exports 'would resume soon'. More expensive tomatoes shipped to European markets were exempt from the decision, the source said — Morocco is the second-largest tomato exporter to the EU, although its African market is relatively small.

Source: Reuters

Moroccan outlet Walaw reported a narrower mechanism: authorities suspended the issuing of NEW export authorisations for fruit and vegetables bound for Africa — notified to professionals on Wednesday, November 4 at about 8:30 p.m. and effective from midnight — while trucks already holding valid authorisations may continue their shipments. No timeline has been given for when new authorisations resume.

Source: Walaw

Food sovereignty is the stated priority

Government spokesman Samir Belfquih did not directly answer a question on Thursday about the export halt, but said the government gives priority to 'food sovereignty', Reuters reported. Last week Finance Minister Fouzi Lekjaa said the government would regulate food exports to help bring down prices, and Rabat has maintained transport subsidies to keep food prices stable and plans regional distribution companies to cut out intermediaries.

Source: Reuters

Morocco has restricted exports of some fresh produce in previous years to prioritise domestic consumption, Reuters noted — including a tomato halt in April 2026 when prices hit about 15 dirhams a kilo, after which wholesale prices in southern markets fell sharply, according to Hespress. What happens next: African buyers wait on a resumption date that Rabat has not yet named, while Moroccan households watch whether this pause pulls retail prices down from 18 dirhams as the April curb did.

Source: Reuters / Hespress via Magna