Morocco’s Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests (MAPMDREF) has affirmed that agricultural activity and production are ongoing despite the health emergency state announced to face the coronavirus outbreak.
“Workers in the sector will maintain the level of production, packaging, transfer and distribution at a normal pace,” the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
Prices of some goods which witnessed occasional hikes, returned to normal, while the prices of the most consumed food products remained stable, the statement noted.
It reassured people that agricultural production will continue normally in full respect for the pre-determined timetable, allowing continued supply to the market and sufficient quantities of agricultural and food products.
“We have overcome the pressure faced by some markets in the past few days as a result of the sharp rise in demand for some of the most consumed agricultural products, especially potatoes, tomatoes and onions. This happened thanks to the continued stocking of the market with these products,” the MAPMDREF explained.
“From the period between early April and June, supplies will be provided through the available stocks and the crops of the winter season in several areas, which are currently in the production stage,” according to a document published on its official website.
“The estimated production quantities during this period are 352,000 tons for tomatoes, 910,000 tons for potatoes, and 412,000 tons for onions (mainly green onions).”
It pointed out that these available quantities meet Moroccan people’s needs, including during the Holy month of Ramadan, when demand rises.
The Ministry said the distribution of spring crops is carried out normally, reaching 50 percent of the specified schedule late March, while the rest will be planted during April.
The expected production of spring and summer crops will adequately meet consumers’ needs for the period between June and December 2020, it noted.
