Moroccan Olive Exports Hit 10-Year Low Amid Mediterranean Crisis and Drought

Severely affected by the Mediterranean olive crisis and drought, Morocco has limited the export of its olive oil. This measure, which aims to curb price increases, to "stabilize consumer prices" and which "remains valid until December 31, 2024" is not without consequences on exports. Moroccan exporters sold only 82,000 tons of canned olives during the 2022/2023 season, about a third less than exports in the previous season, reports EastFruit.

This volume represents the lowest level in 10 years. For the record, the export volume had only fallen to 76,000 tons during the 2014-2015 campaign. On the other hand, the volume of imports of canned olives to Morocco has climbed to 3,000 tons during the 2022-2023 campaign, nearly 11 times more in one year, specifies the specialized website on fruit and vegetable markets. Most of Morocco’s imports of canned olives come from Spain. But the Iberian peninsula was dethroned by Egypt in the previous campaign.

According to FAO statistics, Morocco is one of the world’s leading olive producers. Ranked fifth in 2021, the kingdom gained a place the following year. The main markets for Moroccan canned olives are the EU and North America, which together account for about 90% of its total exports. The five main importing countries are France, the United States, Belgium, Spain and Italy. Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom and Libya are among the other small buyers.