The 360.ma – Video – Overall, the fruit and vegetable market in Nouakchott is well supplied, despite the ban on Moroccan exports to sub-Saharan Africa, particularly tomatoes, onions and potatoes… In addition to local production which rises and imports from Senegal, the Mauritanian market is also currently supplied by the Netherlands. No shortage has therefore been observed and prices, with a few exceptions, remain generally acceptable.
Nouakchott, there were great fears of shortages and soaring vegetable prices after the Moroccan authorities decided to ban exports of vegetables, including carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and onions, to sub-Saharan Africa.
A few weeks after this decision, a tour of the Nouakchott vegetable and fruit market, commonly called Moroccan marketclearly shows that the market is well supplied with fruits and vegetables and prices have generally remained stable, with a few exceptions.
How can this situation be explained when Mauritania had become dependent on Moroccan fruits and especially vegetables?
Several explanations have been put forward. First, despite the ban on Moroccan vegetable exports to Mauritania, some Moroccan products are still available, but in reduced quantities according to wholesalers. The suspension of Moroccan exports mainly concerns onions, potatoes and tomatoes.
Belaid Ammy, wholesaler at the Nouakchott market, emphasizes the correct level of vegetable supply and price stability. As proof, the tomato is sold by Moroccan wholesalers at 25 ouguiyas per kilogram, or around 7 dirhams (less than 0.7 euro). Belaid Ammy dismisses any idea of scarcity.
Identical speech from Hassan, another Moroccan wholesaler, who certifies the availability of all products and the maintenance of prices at the usual level.
Amadou Seck (Nouakchott, correspondence)
