Morocco’s Avocado Boom: Production Soars Despite Regional Drought

Morocco is heading towards a 2% increase in avocado production for the season (October-April). Avocado production across the country for this season could reach 60,000 tons compared to 40,000 tons last year (90% Hass variety), says Abdellah Elyamlahi, president of the Moroccan Association of Avocado Exporters with AP. Mohamed Lakchouch, a producer in Larache, in northwestern Morocco, confirms the increase in production. With his avocado farm of about 10 hectares, he says he produced 90 tons of Hass avocados this year, an increase of 30% compared to the last three years.

Elyamlahi explains this increase in production: "The northern region of Morocco is experiencing rainfall and has significant water reserves, unlike the south of Morocco, such as Agadir and the Sahara. 20% of the increase in production is due to the growth of agricultural holdings." Lakchouch attributes the increase in avocado production on his farm to several factors. "I had young trees. It is therefore normal that production increases each year. There are other factors that play a role in the increase in production, for example the absence of frost, high temperatures and wind as well. With the presence of appropriate climatic conditions, production increases."

According to Mustapha Laissate, an environmental researcher in Rabat, it is necessary to regulate agricultural holdings. "The state has now developed a strategy to deal with the water shortage. In this context, it is necessary to regulate the cultivation of these types of trees, as well as watermelons, which must be located in areas characterized by abundant water, such as the Lookkos basin and the Gharb region," he analyzes. He will add: "However, their presence is difficult in areas where we need drinking water and where there is livestock and factories, in order to avoid an imbalance of water resources that should cover other areas".

Production is increasing, but Morocco is facing a major difficulty. According to Elyamlahi’s explanations, this year’s avocados are smaller. Consequently, they are less competitive on international markets. "There are problems that accompany the increase in production, namely the small size of the fruit. [...] This is what has affected marketing at the moment, because during these months, there is a group of countries that have the same (uniform) size of avocados that are then exported to the main market to which Morocco exports, which is Europe."

"The large quantities of avocados that are still in Morocco, if they accumulate, this will lead to harmful results, such as a drop in prices and the inability to export them or to export them at low prices, and this is not a healthy and sustainable issue," he adds.