Morocco Dominates Spanish Watermelon Market, Supplying Two-Thirds of Consumption

Out of the twenty million watermelons received this year by Mercamadrid, the main wholesale market for fresh produce in Spain, fourteen come from Morocco. This situation is linked to the cheap labor and low production costs in Morocco compared to Spain, reports Cuatro, specifying that the Spanish farmer spends more to produce each kilo of watermelon.

To read: Moroccan Watermelon Exports Surge in EU Market, Challenging Spanish Dominance

The situation is also affecting the international market, especially since Moroccan watermelon sales have increased by more than 50% on the European Union market compared to 2021. Meanwhile, Spain has reduced its exports by 4%. The situation is becoming increasingly "unsustainable" for Spanish farmers, lamented Nadia Calviño, the Minister of Economy.