The wholesale markets for fruits and vegetables across several cities in Morocco are currently facing notably limited commercial activity. This downturn is attributed to a decline in demand and a persistent lack of labor, coinciding with the Eid Al-Adha holiday. Various industry sources report that a number of traders and professionals resumed their operations starting from the second day of Eid, with expectations that the wholesale markets will gradually regain their commercial momentum in the coming week, aligning with the return of the workforce and the steady supply of agricultural products from farms.
Abdel Razak Chabi, the president of the Casablanca Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market Association, stated that "some wholesale markets in the kingdom have resumed their commercial activities since the second day of Eid Al-Adha." He noted that the current commercial activity is characterized by a weak supply due to the limited availability of goods and the fact that not all workers have returned to their jobs, alongside the ongoing closure of most cold storage facilities.
In a statement to Hespress, Chabi explained that the decrease in the quantity of goods available is automatically coinciding with a noticeable drop in demand, as consumers had stocked up on their agricultural product needs prior to the holiday to avoid any shortages that may arise from the temporary closure of shops in the days following this occasion.
Chabi also indicated that the complete return of commercial activity in the wholesale markets will be gradual, taking at least a week. He highlighted that the labor force and transporters predominantly come from regions such as the Atlas and Souss, viewing this occasion as a rare annual opportunity to visit their families and take a break.
Furthermore, a professional source from the wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Inzegan clarified that access to the market was limited on Friday to a few vehicles loaded with various types of fruits and vegetables. The source revealed that, unlike regular times, only a single entry point was opened, and that the return of activity will occur gradually, with full operations expected by the end of the week.
Overall, the Moroccan market is heavily reliant on one or two central markets in Inzegan and Casablanca, which reflects a level of underdevelopment. This reliance leads to persistent price inflation and a scarcity of available goods, while the quality of fruits in Moroccan markets remains average despite high prices. Additionally, labor shortages are expected to persist as many workers prefer to migrate or face dire conditions, especially after the hardships they endured during the holiday period.
As reported by hespress.com.
