2024-04-12 22:22:00
Despite a relentless drought that lasted more than five years and massively impacted the bedrock of the country’s economy, Morocco continues to increase its revenues from fresh vegetable exports, despite declining volumes. Armed with exemplary resilience, the Kingdom maintains its position as a preferred importer of agricultural products for European countries.
According to the specialized platform EastFruit, throughout 2023, Morocco demonstrated a strong increase in its export gains in the fresh vegetable sector, even if the physical volume of exports decreased. The imminent analysts of the specialized portal reveal that “ vegetable exports brought the country nearly $1.6 billion, up 12% from the previous year and almost 50% higher than the five-year average ».
Despite adverse weather conditions leading to a 14% decrease in the tonnage of Moroccan exports of fresh vegetables, bringing the volume to 1.06 million tonnes, this figure marks an increase of 5% compared to the average of the previous five years.
Greenhouse tomatoes remain the basis of Morocco’s export revenues. In 2023, they generated nearly $1.2 billion, constituting almost three-quarters of the total value of the country’s fresh vegetable exports. However, the sector faced significant challenges due to exceptional summer temperatures, leading to a decline in greenhouse tomato exports of 11%, or 660,000 tonnes. Despite this, Morocco has retained its position as the world’s third largest exporter of fresh tomatoes, after Mexico and the Netherlands.
Sweet peppers maintain their dynamism. They occupy the second place in terms of export income among vegetables. This category, particularly in the greenhouse vegetables segment, recorded significant growth in exported volumes. In 2023, exports of sweet peppers from Morocco increased by 4% to reach 174,000 tonnes, and their financial value increased by 55%, reaching $230 million.
Zucchini and pumpkins complete the top three fresh vegetable categories in terms of export revenue, although pumpkins’ share remains minimal. Notably, zucchini exports have maintained year-on-year stability, both in terms of quantity and value. Morocco exported 47,000 tonnes of zucchini and pumpkins for a value of $45 million in 2023.
Greenhouse cucumbers are in fourth place, contributing $23 million to the economy. This category recorded the most dynamic growth among export categories, with an increase of 60% year-on-year. Miscellaneous greens and herbs (such as parsley and tarragon) generated $14 million, while carrots, onions, sweet corn and various varieties of brassicas also contributed significantly to exports.
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