Morocco nears 90,000 tonnes of exported blueberries, but success drives prices down

Moroccan exports of fresh blueberries increased by 6% compared with the previous season, during which 83,929 tonnes were shipped. Morocco is thus approaching the 90,000-tonne threshold for the first time.

These results consolidate its position among the leading suppliers to the European market. Geographical proximity notably makes it possible to quickly transport the fruit to Spain, France and the United Kingdom, reports specialist media outlet Blueberries Consulting.

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The national increase nevertheless conceals significant disparities. Exports from Souss-Massa rose by 33%, mainly due to the expansion of cultivated areas. In Oriental, they surged by 594%, but the volume remains limited to 112 tonnes.

The situation is much more difficult in the historic regions. Loukkos recorded a 16% decline, even though an increase comparable to that of Souss-Massa had initially been expected. In Meknes, exports collapsed by 79%, falling from 614 to just 127 tonnes.

Amine Bennani, president of the Moroccan Association of Red Fruit Producers, believes that the increase in cultivated areas is masking declining yields. Severe weather and flooding in northern Morocco paralyzed some farms and destroyed plantations.

Behind the record, “catastrophic” prices

The increase in Moroccan volumes comes at a time when global blueberry supply is growing faster than demand. As early as spring, the price of Moroccan blueberries had fallen from 11 to 7.50 euros under the impact of the arrival of the Spanish harvest.

The pressure intensified from the end of April. Prices then plunged to levels described as “catastrophic” by producers, reports HortiDaily. This decline concerns export transactions and does not necessarily mean that prices fell by the same proportions for consumers.

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China has notably made a prominent entry into the international fresh blueberry market. Its producers now market the same Jumbo varieties, including Sekoya, as those chosen by Moroccan growers to conquer Russia and other markets outside the European Union.

This new competition is already causing Morocco to lose market share in Russia. Egypt is also preparing a sharp increase in its production, raising fears of an even more abundant supply in the coming seasons.

These difficulties are compounded by a labor shortage. Several Moroccan producers were unable to fully resume picking after the Eid holidays and ended their season earlier than expected.

The Kingdom nevertheless retains strong outlets. It has become the United Kingdom’s leading blueberry supplier, with 19,000 tonnes shipped between July 2024 and June 2025. The country is also continuing its breakthrough in the US market.

For Moroccan producers, the priority would therefore no longer be to expand plantations. The sector is now seeking to improve quality, storage and the choice of marketing periods in order to prevent each new volume record from resulting in another fall in prices.