Morocco Emerges as Top Frozen Raspberry Exporter to EU, Quadrupling Shipments

Moroccan exports of ripe and fresh raspberries to the EU have increased, reaching a volume of 56,200 tons in 2022, after a 36% increase in 2021. For Andriy Yarmak, economist at the Investment Center of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), quoted by East-fruit.com, "Morocco is a unique example of a development model for berry exports".

"Morocco has focused on exports of high value-added products. However, with the expansion of fresh raspberry production and other berries for export, mainly to EU countries, an opportunity has arisen for the development of berry freezing. Now, the two segments are developing dynamically and complement each other," explains the expert.

This boom in Moroccan raspberry exports to the EU has allowed the kingdom to expand its customer portfolio by now integrating new destinations such as the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, South Africa, Croatia, Canada, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Until now, almost all (90%) of Moroccan raspberries were mainly destined for England, Germany, France and Spain.

According to the same source, raspberry exports bring Moroccan producers more than $360 million per year, specifying that fresh raspberry exports are more profitable in Morocco than the export of any other fruit. Morocco is in the Top 10 of global suppliers of frozen fruits, behind Ukraine, Serbia and Poland, major exporters of frozen raspberries in Europe.