2024-01-04 20:40:05
Moroccans are preparing for an abundance of dried fruits in early 2024, as suggested by import data, revealed by the specialized site EastFruit regarding the past year. With a volume of 66,000 tonnes during the first 10 months of 2023, imports of dried fruits into Morocco are heading towards an annual record, already surpassing the figures for the whole of 2022 by 12%.
Morocco, a fervent consumer of dried fruits, had imported in 2022 a volume of dried fruits 26 times greater than its exports, according to the site. Between 2018 and 2021, these imports saw a significant increase, almost tripling in volume. However, in 2022, due to factors such as the global economic slowdown and rising logistics costs, Morocco had slightly reduced its dried fruit imports.
Almonds, walnuts, and raisins remain the main categories of imported dried fruits, although their combined share increased from 91% in 2018 to 88% in 2022. Imports of almonds increased almost tenfold, while those of nuts and raisins doubled on average during the same period. Cashews and prunes recorded even faster growth, with a 12- and 19-fold increase respectively.
United States leads supplier of almonds and walnuts, but increased competition in nuts
The United States maintains its position as the main supplier of almonds and walnuts to the Moroccan market, but faces increased competition in the walnut segment. American exporters dominate the almond market, supplying almost all Moroccan imports. However, in nuts, the United States is losing ground to Chinese and Chilean competition.
Between 2018 and 2022, supplies of nuts from the United States declined by 18%, while those from Chile increased by 50% and those from China exploded more than 23 times. In 2023, the United States is expected to export a record quantity of nuts to Morocco, as China continues its expansion.
Evolution of dried grape imports and diversification of suppliers
The structure of raisin imports into Morocco is also changing, with the emergence of new suppliers. In 2018, India and Turkey were the main suppliers, but Uzbekistan and Iran joined this duo in 2019 and 2020 respectively. By the end of 2022, these four countries accounted for 94% of all raisin supplies in Morocco.
Cashew imports are largely dominated by Vietnam, with almost total market share. Imports of other dried fruits such as pistachios, prunes, hazelnuts, dried apricots and Brazil nuts are growing steadily.
Pistachios imported into Morocco quintupled between 2018 and 2022, mainly supplied by the United States. Spain, Uzbekistan, Romania and Moldova are the main suppliers of prunes to Morocco, while Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan dominate the hazelnut market. Turkey is also the main exporter of dried apricots to Morocco, while South American countries (Peru, Bolivia and Brazil) supply Brazil nuts to the Moroccan market.
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