Inaccessible in Morocco, queen in Europe: The scandal of the Zagora watermelon reserved for the rich?

The start of the season is marked by major uncertainties. According to industry professionals, the Zagora watermelon is struggling to establish itself against the Mauritanian product, which is still very present on international markets. This direct competition is slowing the start of Moroccan exports, while the full deployment of the campaign is not expected until mid-April.

On Bladi.net: Morocco: watermelon prices soar

Current prices on the farms are between 8 and 10 dirhams per kilogram, a price range almost exclusively reserved for export. Hespress reports that transactions sometimes reach 13 dirhams for the finished product. "The start of the season has nothing to do with domestic consumption due to the high cost of the product," says a producer and exporter.

One of the main concerns of farmers is the volatility of hydrocarbon prices. A new increase in fuel would immediately impact transportation costs, which are already high. This risk factor weighs on the profitability of crops shipped to Europe or the rest of the Kingdom, increasing the pressure on a sector already weakened by climatic challenges.

On Bladi.net: Moroccan watermelon sets records

For the Moroccan consumer, the wait continues. Faced with inflation that is already affecting basic vegetables, the price of watermelon remains out of reach for local purchasing power. Professionals hope for a stabilization of the market and a drop in prices as soon as the harvests of Tata and Zagora reach maturity, aiming for a target price of 8 to 9 dirhams per kilo.