Morocco records sharp decline in tomato exports

Moroccan tomato exports suffered a 77% decline between October 2000 and October 1999, says the association of exporters.

Exported quantities stood at 3,204 tons, compared to 14,1417 tons. The association says the sharp decline is due to the white fly which damaged tomato harvests in several Moroccan regions.

White fly has damaged an estimated 200,000 tons of tomato crops, mainly in Agadir (southwestern Morocco).

The white fly, which appeared in the 50's in the middle east, Turkey and Greece, moved in the 80's to Spain and then to Morocco after contaminated tomato seeds were bought by Moroccan farmers.