Morocco/Mauritania: The frustration of fruit and vegetable exporters

Moroccan exporters to Africa are warning of the «deterioration» of their situation. They even paint a very pessimistic picture. «We are experiencing a real crisis», says Mohamed Zemrani, President of the Moroccan Association of Exporters to Africa, a member of FIFEL ( the Moroccan Interprofessional Federation for the Production and Export of Fruit and Vegetables). He adds, «Since the increase in customs tariffs at the Moroccan-Mauritanian border, several exporters, including myself, have stopped shipments. We can no longer bear the excessive customs duties «.

In early January this year, the Mauritanian authorities decided to increase transit fees for Moroccan fruit and vegetables by 150%. This measure is intended to «foster national production». It will take effect until next April. The decision has aroused the ire of Moroccan professionals. They are crying foul. «The losses caused by this decision are enormous. They amount to 1.8 million Dirhams (USD 180,000) every day. Previously, 900 tons of vegetables and citrus fruit passed through these borders every day. Today, this volume has been reduced to more than half», says Mohamed Zemrani.
Zemrani blames the Ministry for the crisis. «This increase in customs tariffs is Mauritania’s response to the measure taken by the Ministry of Agriculture to ban vegetable exports in 2023», he pointed out.
Indeed, the Government has decided to suspend exports of onions, potatoes, and tomatoes to the West African market in order to secure supplies for the local market and stabilize prices. The latter have soared due to the drop in supply, as a result of the drought which has impacted production. «Export volumes should have been reduced, not banned. The decision was badly received by the Mauritanian authorities and even by other African countries. It was detrimental to us. Africans have lost confidence in our ability to meet their needs»,  said the association’s president.
He also criticized the decision to increase Moroccan customs duties on watermelons from Mauritania. «It is absolutely absurd!»,  he said, criticizing that decision.
Mohamed Zemrani didn’t mince his words. He blasts the Ministry of Agriculture. He accused the Ministry of «making unilateral decisions without consulting the industry». According to this professional, the increase in customs tariffs at the Morocco-Mauritania border has also had an impact on supplies to other African countries.

Khadija SKALLI