Russia-Ukraine War Threatens Moroccan Citrus Exports as Payment Concerns Mount

According to Les Inspirations Eco, Moroccan citrus exports to Russia have increased significantly in recent years. They currently represent 10% of Russia’s total citrus imports. "Today and more than ever, the question of payments arises acutely, given the continuation of the Russian-Ukrainian war. These fears are considered well-founded, especially as the citrus export campaign is coming to an end," notes the daily.

According to the same source, negotiations could take place between the two parties to find an alternative, since the reasons that led to Russia’s withdrawal from this financial transaction system are still present. The alternative could therefore be a compensation mechanism between Russian imports and Moroccan citrus exports (barter), or the use of an alternative system (such as the Russia-China SWIFT) or even the possibility of paying in rubles or dirhams, specifies the newspaper.

While waiting for a solution to be found, the Moroccan Interprofessional Federation of Citrus Fruits (Maroc Citrus) has an unpaid invoice of more than $57 million. It has also addressed a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance and the Professional Group of Moroccan Banks (GPBM), explaining that 30% to 40% of small fruit exports remain unpaid. They specified that non-payment risks destroying the sector, which is already facing structural difficulties.