Morocco resumes onion exports to Africa, as tomato, potato restrictions remain
Industry representatives have reported continued congestion at the Rosso crossing, citing infrastructure constraints and limited ferry capacity.
MOROCCO – Morocco has officially reopened onion exports to African nations, while strict limitations on tomatoes and potatoes remain active without formal justification, as logistics companies redirect traffic through the congested Rosso border crossing between Mauritania and Senegal.
The decision took effect about a week ago, allowing exporters to resume onion shipments across the continent.
According to a source within the Moroccan Association of Exporters of Various Goods to Africa and Abroad, the industry has not received an official explanation for the continued restrictions on tomatoes and potatoes.
Furthermore, the development comes as Moroccan transport operators continue to face congestion at the Rosso border crossing between Mauritania and Senegal, a key transit route for exports to West Africa.
Exporters increasingly shifted to the Rosso corridor after moving away from the traditional route through Mali because of ongoing security concerns and armed unrest. Additionally, industry representatives have reported continued congestion at the Rosso crossing, citing infrastructure constraints and limited ferry capacity.
According to Mauritanian media, quoting the state-owned company Mauritania Ferries, the increase in Moroccan freight traffic has placed additional pressure on ferry services operating across the Senegal River, which are shared by freight vehicles and passengers.
These logistical hurdles include severe infrastructure congestion, limited ferry availability, and delays that increase transport costs and compromise product freshness for perishable goods. This shift was necessitated by persistent instability in Mali, which previously served as the primary transit corridor for Moroccan goods.
For many years, Mali served as the main transit route for Moroccan exports to sub-Saharan Africa. However, continued instability has forced transport operators to use alternative corridors despite the logistical challenges. The alternative route through Rosso is currently plagued by severe infrastructure congestion and limited ferry capacity on the Senegal River.
Industry representatives continue to hope that improvements in Mali’s security situation will allow the traditional route to reopen, easing pressure on the Rosso crossing and improving access to African markets.
The resumption of onion exports represents a partial return to normal trade, but the continued restrictions on tomatoes and potatoes indicate that Moroccan authorities maintain selective export controls without clear communication to industry stakeholders.
Ultimately, the outcome of regional security developments and infrastructure investments will determine the future reliability of Morocco’s vegetable exports to African markets.
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