57 MARTINDALE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE listic health care into their daily lives with herbal supplements, tinctures, and salves (Bouiamrine et al., 2017). Measuring the value of the MAP market is difficult due to the conflicting definitions of what makes a plant aromatic or medicinal. Additionally, the informal MAP trading market in Morocco (i.e., trading between local merchants and small sellers) is not tracked or taxed by the government, making it difficult to estimate the market’s true size; as a result, various sources provide differing values of the MAP market. Analysis of a comparable figure of a defined trade item is one way to attempt to quantify the MAP market. The UN Comtrade database (2022) recorded figures on trade item 121190, defined as “plants and parts (including seeds and fruits)...of a kind used primarily in perfumery, pharmacy, or for insecticidal, fungicidal, or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered.” In 2010, Morocco exported $24.82M of item 121190 to the global market. The exported amount grew to $40.57M in 2015. Recent data (2022) show that Morocco nearly tripled their 2010 MAP export of item 121190 to $64.93M. These numbers may not represent all the trade occurring during these years but are strong evidence of the expanding Moroccan MAP market. Relatively speaking, Morocco plays an important role in MAP production on a global scale. Although the export dollar value of MAPs is modest by comparison with other products, given its overall size, Morocco has a high production of MAPs that are extremely valuable in that marketplace (United Nations, 2022). Market reviews indicate a steady growth in demand and value in the MAP market overall. Morocco is listed as the twelfth biggest exporter of MAPs in the world, and their potential is only increasing. As of 2022, the global trade value for MAPs was estimated to be $150B per year, with an estimated growth rate going forward of ~11%, reaching a total of as much as $386.07B by 2032 (Gotadki, 2021). Given the projected expansion of the MAPs market, the opportunity for profit in Morocco is likewise expanding. Demand for MAPs could introduce new flows of income to those living in Morocco’s rural, low-economic areas (Taleb, 2017). In the northern region of Morocco in 2003, the Taounate people, with a population around 30,000, had an annual income of approximately $1.83M from medicinal plant exports (City Population: Taounate, 2014; El-Hilaly et al., 2003). MAPs are a valuable part of rural incomes; however, the profit from medicinal plants is largely tied to wholesalers who buy local products cheaply and resell them for higher prices, leading to exploitation of the local producers of MAPs. Many foragers have connections with intermediaries who purchase the product at a very low price and sell it higher to industrial wholesalers for export. Although the final value of the plants is high, foragers get paid minimally for their product. Because there are no other options but to sell to the intermediaries, damaging harvesting continues and profits are small (El-Hilaly et al., 2003). This issue requires governmental regulation and education for collectors and cooperatives to implement good business practices with the growing market and prevent further exploitation (Taleb, 2017). The threat of plant exploitation MAPs are not regulated for collection. Foraging for these plants occurs primarily on public land and is generally accessible to whoever wishes to harvest them. As a result, the market is treated similarly to mining rather than agriculture, that is, harvesting a supply until it is gone and then moving onto the next source rather than protecting the original supply. It is difficult to report on individual behaviors in this sector because of lack of national control and observation of foragers. Plant collectors may know where to find plants and how to use them, but many collectors do not engage in sustainable practices, threatening the future of MAPs in Morocco (Lamrani-Alaoui & Hassikou, 2018). Plants often are not harvested with the intention of utilizing every part. Entire plants can be uprooted, when only the leaves, fruit, stems, seeds, or bark is needed (Schippmann et al., 2006). Uprooting the entire plant makes it difficult, if not impossible, for the plant to propagate again, reducing the chance of reproduction for many species (Bouiamrine et al., 2017). Plants respond differently to the removal of parts, and what is removed can threaten the life cycle of the plants. For example, Lamrani-Alaoui and Hassikou (2018) reported that annual plants have a high risk for reproduction loss when their roots or fruits are taken, whereas shrubs or trees have a medium risk when using the root and a low risk when losing the fruit or seed of the plant. This assessment emphasizes the importance of educating the people gathering the MAPs on sustainable practices and conservation techniques. Knowing which part of the plant to harvest can reduce the threat of overexploitation by giving plants a chance for regrowth. There are many MAP species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List that are at threat of extinction in Morocco
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==