2023-12-16 21:00:00
A kilogram of round tomatoes costs 13 DH in several districts of Casablanca. This outbreak is expected to increase as Ramadan approaches. “The situation risks getting worse during the next Ramadan when a kilo of tomatoes could exceed 20 DH,” worries the Association of Chtouka Producers (ACPA) to Médias24. Justified concerns, because a shortage of round tomatoes is on the horizon. “At one time, the production areas of Doukkala produced enough tomatoes to supply the Casablanca region at affordable prices. But because of the lack of water, all market gardening crops have seen their yields and surface areas decrease,” laments the representative of traders at the Casablanca fruit and vegetable wholesale market.
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“There are several extreme weather phenomena which impacted the first plantings of round tomatoes (strong wind, high temperatures, etc.), confirms the ACPA. As a result, the quantities of round tomatoes sent to the Casablanca wholesale market have decreased considerably. “We are seeing a drop in the tonnage of round tomatoes entering the market of around 30%. And this is the case for all vegetables,” says Abdellatif Baajine, price controller at the city’s wholesale market.
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The increase in the price of agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers, etc.) also has an impact on sales prices. “The production of one hectare of round tomatoes today costs up to 700,000 DH compared to 300,000 DH a few years ago,” explains the ACPA, stressing that the subsidies granted within the framework of the Agricultural Development Fund ( FDA) prove to be insufficient. “The subsidies are insufficient. Especially since for some, such as those linked to seeds, they can only be granted to farmers two or three months after having carried out the plantings,” deplores the association.
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Another factor behind the surge in prices for round tomatoes: the increase in the price of transport between Inezgane and Casablanca. “The cost of transport, which was between 8 and 12 DH per box, has recently increased to reach 20 DH per box transported,” indicates a professional source. There is also the multiplication of intermediaries between the farmer and the final consumer or the low diversity of production areas.
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