Avocado Crisis Sparks Major Agricultural Investment in Morocco

Severe heatwaves hit Morocco last June and August, leading to the premature drop of a large quantity of avocado fruits. Crop losses vary between 40% and 60%, which threatens to reduce the total production of the current season to around 80,000 tons, according to estimates from industry experts. This figure represents a significant drop compared to the last two seasons, which had recorded record export levels between 100,000 and 110,000 tons, FreshPlaza reports. Avocado prices are a concern for some producers. They threaten to delay the harvest in the hope of obtaining "satisfactory prices" that would compensate them for the drop in volumes, while emphasizing the production of larger fruits, it is learned.

The avocado cultivation sector is therefore going through dark times. However, the Israeli company "Mehadrin", one of the largest fresh produce companies, is seeking to save the sector. It announces a major expansion project in the kingdom. This involves the creation of an agricultural entity in Morocco. In total, 1,000 hectares will be used for avocado cultivation and 400 hectares for citrus fruits as part of this project. Crop diversification projects are also planned to include varieties adapted to the local environment. The company’s objective is to secure its supplies throughout the year and to expand its global base of sources, which also recently includes the acquisition of the "Don Fermin" farm in Peru.

According to experts, large companies like "Mehadrin" could be better able to meet climate challenges through the use of advanced agricultural techniques and modern irrigation systems, making their investment a bet on the future and not just on the current season. "Mehadrin is focusing its efforts to reshape the company to adapt to the changing dynamics of the fresh produce industry. We see in our five-year plan the transformation of Mehadrin into a multi-sourced agricultural company with vertical access to strategic destinations worldwide," said the CEO of "Mehadrin" company.