Page 33 - AA 2026

Morocco

size fell to 5.1 hectares in 2024, lim- tariff-free access and generated USD window that reduces disease pres-
iting mechanization and forcing frag- 620 million in 2024. In 2024/25, avo- sure. Haouz produced 180,000 metric
mented producers to compete against cado exports of 90,000 metric tons tons of watermelons but lost 15% of its
vertically integrated exporters whose target Russian and Middle Eastern irrigated land to drought in 2024. Ber-
unit costs are 20–25% lower. Without buyers who pay premiums for win- kane’s clementines reached 150,000
land consolidation and soil restora- ter supply. Citrus shipments grew, metric tons and targeted Russian
tion, production gains will be harder yet intensifying Spanish and Turkish buyers despite payment risk in 2024.
to achieve and could drag on the Mo- competition pressures margins, com- Dakhla emerged as a frontier zone,
rocco fruits and vegetables market. pelling Moroccan exporters to rely planting 800 hectares of blueberries
Water-Table Depletion in Souss- on organic labels for differentiation. in 2024 that capitalize on desert mi-
Massa This mix shift underscores how spe- croclimates and Atlantic fog, with trial
cialty fruits are reinforcing premium exports commanding EUR 9/kg (USD
Groundwater extraction exceeded
recharge by 67% in 2024, leaving positioning in the Morocco fruits and 9.50/kg) retail premiums. These shifts
a 58–60 million m³ annual deficit. vegetables market. show capital moving northward to
Wells in Chtouka dropped 2 to 3 me- Geography Analysis water-abundant areas, spreading risk
ters each year, lifting pumping costs Souss-Massa generated a signifi- across the Morocco fruits and vegeta-
from MAD 0.80/m³ (USD 0.08/m³) in cant portion of national output in 2025, bles market.
2020 to MAD 1.50/m³ (USD 0.15/m³) anchored by Chtouka greenhouses Competitive Landscape
in 2024. Salinity intrusion rendered that exported 85% of their tomatoes The Moroccan fruits and vegetables
4,000 hectares unproductive for cit- and gained USD 1 billion in foreign market demonstrates steady growth
rus, triggering a pivot to almonds and currency. Desalinated water from the potential, offering opportunities for
olives by 2024. Desalinated water at Chtouka plant now irrigates 15,000 mid-tier entrants. Azura Group holds
MAD 5.40/m³ (USD 0.54/m³) still ex- hectares at MAD 5.40/m³ (USD 0.54/ a significant market share, utilizing
ceeds historical groundwater costs, m³), buffering margins against aqui- semi-closed greenhouses designed
squeezing margins for tomato grow- fer depletion. In 2024, citrus orchards to optimize environmental condi-
ers whose net returns average 12%. produced 600,000 metric tons, but sa- tions, resulting in higher yields and
Emergency rationing in 2024 cut allo- linity forced 4,000 hectares out of pro- improved crop quality. These green-
cations by 30%, leading to temporary duction, prompting growers to adopt houses enable better control over
output dips and amplifying supply almonds and olives. In 2024, blueber- temperature, humidity, and ventila-
volatility in European markets. ry acreage reached 6,500 hectares tion, contributing to enhanced pro-
By Product Type: Fruits Extend and supplied 48,000 metric tons that ductivity. The collaboration between
the Growth Curve sold at USD 7.50/kg retail, validat- the Delassus Group, the Food and
Vegetables delivered 57.4% of the ing the USD 35,000/ha establishment Agriculture Organization (FAO), and
market share in 2025, but the fruit seg- cost. the European Bank for Reconstruc-
ment is expanding at a 7.8% CAGR Gharb is the fastest-growing tion and Development (EBRD) in 2025
as growers prioritize blueberries, through 2031. Avocado plantings rose is projected to strengthen Morocco’s
avocados, and seedless citrus that to 7,000 hectares, delivering 60,000 position in global produce markets,
satisfy European off-season demand. metric tons in 2024/25, while abun- driven by its expansion into Asian
Blueberry acreage rose from 2,000 dant rainfall slices irrigation costs to destinations.
hectares in 2015 to 11,000 hectares in USD 0.55/kg, well below Souss-Mas- Growth strategies concentrate on
2024, while avocado groves doubled sa. Late-season Navel and Nadorcott three levers. First, geographic diver-
to 10,000 hectares. In 2024/25, citrus citrus acreage expanded 12% in 2024, sification away from drought-prone
remains the largest fruit group at 2.06 hitting European Union shelves when Souss-Massa reduces water risk and
million metric tons. Water scarcity Spanish supply wanes. In 2024, Potato stabilizes yields. Second, certifica-
flattened watermelon and melon pro- volumes totaled 450,000 metric tons tions like GlobalG.A.P. and Linking
duction at 450,000 metric tons in 2024, but saw prices swing from MAD 2.00/ Environment And Farming (LEAF)
and grape cultivation fell 8% as land kg (USD 0.20/kg) to MAD 0.90/kg capture retail premiums of up to 18%.
shifted toward higher-margin stone (USD 0.09/kg) in three months due to Third, downstream control of the cold
fruit. oversupply. Foreign capital rose 22% chain trims waste and secures shelf
Export data reveal further diver- in 2024 as Dutch and Chilean inves- presence. The Moroccan agricultural
gence. In 2024/25, vegetables ac- tors leased 3,200 hectares for berries cooperative COPAG supports ap-
counted for 573,730 metric tons of and greenhouses. proximately 24,000 farmers and col-
tomato exports to Europe, though Loukkos, Haouz, and Berkane add laborates with Delight Co. to ensure a
subject to quota restrictions. In con- niche strengths. In 2024, Loukkos reliable supply, sustainable practices,
trast, blueberry exports, totaling shipped 28,000 metric tons of straw- and high-quality fruit that meets glob-
83,000 metric tons, benefited from berries across a November to May al citrus ingredient standards.
Arab Agriculture 2026 31