Moroccan tomato prices hit 17 MAD per kilogram
Consumers in Tinghir face high costs for tomatoes, potatoes, and onions due to market issues and potential export impacts.
Tomato prices have reached 17 Moroccan Dirhams (MAD) per kilogram in some markets, significantly increasing the cost of groceries for Moroccan households. A visit to the Sunday market in Tinghir on November 8 found tomatoes selling for between 13 and 15 MAD, with prices reaching up to 17 MAD in other locations.
Potatoes and onions are also expensive, costing between 7 and 8 MAD per kilogram, which makes essential food items unaffordable for low-income families. Some consumers believe that exporting large quantities of produce to European and African markets is reducing local supply, leading to higher domestic prices.
A civil society activist in Tinghir, Hamid El Hadioui, has urged the government to temporarily halt exports of key agricultural products to meet domestic demand until prices decrease. However, market observers suggest that wholesale market inefficiencies, numerous intermediaries, and speculation also contribute to the inflated prices before produce reaches consumers.
Why it mattersMoroccan households are struggling to afford basic vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, and onions due to rising prices.