Madar (Rabat) - Morocco will gradually resume issuing licences to export vegetables and fruit to African markets from next week, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Omar Hejira told news site Hespress, which published his remarks on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Hejira said the resumption would be handled by the independent export control and coordination body, Morocco Foodex, under strict monitoring by specialised committees tasked with identifying farm products whose quantities and prices on the domestic market could be affected. Priority remains "supplying the domestic market with sufficient quantities and preserving the purchasing power of Moroccan consumers", he said, adding that the committees began their studies at the end of the week.
The minister described the suspension of new export licences for farm produce, including tomatoes, to African markets, in force since Wednesday night, as a "technical and temporary measure" to control domestic supply and prices "without affecting Morocco's commitments to Africa".
He attributed the high prices of several fruits and vegetables, especially tomatoes, to bad weather and other factors, including "purchases of farm produce at wholesale markets by a number of exporters heading to African markets", which upset supply and demand at home.
Hejira denied reports that exporters holding licences issued before the decision had been stopped from crossing, saying the ban only covered new licences, and said Morocco continues to give "top priority to African markets and partnership with African countries".
The measure followed a rise in the prices of several vegetables and fruits, led by tomatoes, which reached 17 dirhams per kilo in a number of Moroccan markets, according to Hespress.
