According to the exporters, middlemen are scheduling and reselling all the appointments, making it impossible for them to submit an application for the document, according to EU Helpers.

Several Moroccan exporters have reportedly given up trying to obtain a Schengen visa, according to FreshPlaza. They have also emphasized that because of visa issues, they won't be able to attend next Fruit Attraction show in Madrid in October or trade and networking meetings.

"This year, due to the disorganized outsourcing of consular services, we are unable to attend Fruit Attraction in Madrid. It is impossible to schedule an appointment to apply for a visa. Since the majority of our business is with European consumers, we have simply stopped participating in the event, which is highly costly, a produce exporter told FreshPlaza.

The same was said by a number of other exporters, one of whom emphasized that it was the first time since the beginning of their company that they would not be attending the Fruit Attraction display.

The exporter went on to say that they reject applying for visas through shady middlemen since everyone should have an equal opportunity to do so without being pressured to seek assistance.

The exporter stated, "I chose not to yield to the blackmail of unlawful intermediaries and not to seek interventions that should not be required for such a basic service."

The Moroccan exporters added that, in addition to the aforementioned, they would also be unable to attend the Fruit Logistica in Berlin, which they claimed was a crucial event for their company.

They emphasized the lengthy appointment process for a Schengen visa and urged the authorities to take action so they would no longer be blocked from attending significant events.

The appointments have also been criticized by other Moroccan Schengen visa applicants. Moroccans said earlier this month that middlemen were scheduling appointments and then reselling them for more money on the underground market.

Due to Morocco's failure to secure a visa-free travel agreement with the Schengen nations, all Moroccan citizens continue to be subject to the visa requirement.

Moroccan nationals must submit a number of papers, including the visa application form, their passport, and two passport-size pictures, when applying for a Schengen visa.