Blueberries: Morocco surges toward a 70% increase, but markets are becoming the problem

Morocco is expected to be the main driver of blueberry production growth in Southern Europe and North Africa over the coming years. According to projections from the IBO Global Blueberry Report 2026, relayed by Blueberries Consulting, Morocco’s harvest could increase by nearly 70% between 2025 and 2029.

The kingdom is already starting from a high level. In 2025, it produced exactly 84,940 tonnes of blueberries, an increase of 18.4% in one year. If the announced trajectory is confirmed, production could therefore approach 145,000 tonnes by 2029.

This growth is mainly based on the expansion of cultivation. Morocco had 6,800 hectares planted in 2025, 5,800 of which had already entered production. Nearly 14,940 additional tonnes were obtained thanks to the new productive areas, while declining yields reduced the total by around 1,740 tonnes.

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Average yields stood at 14,645 kilos per hectare. The recent surge in production therefore did not result from improved productivity, but from new plantations reaching maturity. Other orchards that are still young should continue to increase volumes over the coming seasons.

Spain and the United Kingdom absorb 77% of exports

The problem is now shifting from farms to markets. A source interviewed by the IBO estimates that Moroccan producers are currently finding buyers for their blueberries, but that the rapid increase in cultivated areas will require new decisions regarding destinations and shipping periods.

In 2025, Morocco exported 82,590 tonnes of fresh blueberries. Spain received 43,110 tonnes and the United Kingdom 20,180 tonnes. These two countries alone therefore accounted for nearly 77% of the volumes, even though some of the consignments arriving in Spain may subsequently be re-exported to other European markets.

This strong concentration makes the sector dependent on a few entry points. Morocco has already come close to exporting 90,000 tonnes, risking a decline in prices. With nearly 60,000 additional tonnes potentially reaching the market by 2029, finding new buyers and better distributing shipments throughout the season is becoming essential.

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The 2025-2026 season demonstrated the importance of timing. Heavy rains and cold weather had delayed production by three weeks in northern Morocco and by around ten days around Agadir. This temporary decline in supply, combined with delays recorded in Spain and Portugal, had created a shortage in Europe and kept Moroccan blueberry prices high.

As production increases, this favorable situation will be more difficult to reproduce. For the Moroccan sector, the challenge will soon no longer be merely to produce more, but to choose the right weeks and, above all, to find enough markets capable of absorbing the new volumes.