Moroccan Fruit Exports Surge 50%, Spain and France Top Buyers

Morocco’s exports of fruits and berries increased in value between 2018 and 2022 by nearly half. They generated $1.7 billion in 2022 and $7.1 billion over the 2018-2022 period. Spain, France, the Netherlands, Russia and the United Kingdom are at the top of the list of the main importers. Spain is the largest importer of Moroccan fruits and berries and accounted for about 27% of Morocco’s total exports over the past five years, according to EastFruit. At the same time, Morocco was the fourth largest supplier of fruits and berries to Spain in 2022, with a 15% share of Spain’s total imports. However, Morocco’s export earnings to Spain fell by 23% compared to 2021.

As for fruit and berry exports to France, they generated $1.2 billion for Morocco in 2018-2022, or 17% of total earnings. Last year, the kingdom’s share in France’s total fruit and berry imports reached 6%. Morocco is now the fifth largest supplier of fruits and berries to France. The strongest demand is for the kingdom’s watermelons, melons, tangerines, avocados, raspberries and blueberries.

After Brexit, Morocco’s market share in fruit and berry exports to the United Kingdom was multiplied by six. Exports to the UK have quintupled, placing Morocco in the fifth position on the list of the largest suppliers of fruits and berries to the country. British importers are particularly interested in Moroccan berries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries, which account for about half of total exports to the British market. Not to mention watermelons, and tangerines which account for nearly a third of exports.

Although Moroccan exports to the Netherlands generated $1.2 billion, or 17% of Morocco’s total fruit and berry export earnings, they have been declining since 2020. Raspberries account for about 40% of Morocco’s total exports to this market. The situation is less rosy for Morocco in Russia. Moroccan fruit and berry exports to Vladimir Putin’s country show the most negative trend. Morocco’s market share in Russia has more than halved over the past five years. In 2022, exports were only half of what they were in 2018. As a result, this drop in volume has caused Morocco to fall to 16th place in the ranking of Russia’s largest suppliers.