Madar (Rabat) - Moroccan head of government Fatima Zahra El Mansouri on Thursday, 12 November 2026, announced a temporary suspension of new export licences for tomatoes, onions and potatoes in order to secure supply to the domestic market, according to a statement by the government spokesperson after the weekly Government Council, reported by Hespress.
Protecting citizens' purchasing power remains the government's "first priority", El Mansouri said, according to the same source, stressing the need to protect the domestic market while safeguarding the interests of farmers and of Morocco's partners on the African continent.
She said the government had set up an interministerial commission to monitor price trends and would continue exceptional support for road transport operators. Tackling rising food and fuel prices requires securing market supply and fighting speculation and monopolistic practices, she added, calling for daily price monitoring and early preparation for the month of Ramadan.
The decision comes days after the suspension of tomato exports to African markets earlier this month, followed on 8 November by the announcement by the minister delegate for foreign trade, Omar Hejira, of a gradual resumption of fruit and vegetable export licences to Africa under the oversight of specialised committees.
In Mauritania, the government spokesperson attributed rising tomato prices in mid-October to restrictions imposed by some exporting countries, as well as to the impact of rain on local production.
At the same meeting, Morocco's Government Council adopted bill No. 06.25 converting the National Airports Office (ONDA) into a public limited company, as well as three draft decrees, according to the same source.
