Market Trends of Morocco Fruits and Vegetables Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Morocco Fruits & Vegetables Market according to our research experts:
Increased Focus on Fresh Produce Exports
Over the years, the country has worked hard to retain its position as the global exporter of high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruit exports have dramatically increased to 95% of all exported fresh goods. The country currently exports over 50 fruits and vegetables, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, green beans, zucchini, pumpkins, berries, etc. Citrus fruits and tomatoes lead in fresh produce exports, occupying the market's major share.
According to the FAOSTAT, Morocco's tomato production increased from 13,470,85 metric tons in 2019 to 13,988,31.1 in 2020. This growth can be attributed largely to favorable production conditions and an increase in the hectares planted for tomatoes. Further, the European Union and Russia have remained the country's leading destinations of fresh produce exports. The country is planning to diversify its exports to supply countries in the Middle East and Africa. Therefore, with the increasing demand for fresh produce in the export market, the area under the fresh produce is expanding, which in turn is fuelling the growth of the market studied during the forecast period.
Orange Dominates the Fruits segment
The production of oranges takes place all over the country and is strongly related to weather conditions and market windows. The orange is the most planted fruit in Morocco, with approximately 60,525 hectares of area harvested and producing 10,393,82 metric tons in 2021, compared to other fruits, namely watermelons, grapes, avocados, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon. Orange is a major fruit-producing commodity for Morocco, and the country's government has aimed various initiatives to improve fruit production. For instance, in 2020, the country's government Provided a $1,143/ha subsidy for creating new citrus, including orange plantations, using a drip irrigation technique.
Moreover, the increase in production was brought about by adopting new technologies, effective use of agrochemicals, and favorable policies. In 2021, Morocco exported USD 67,644 Thousand to countries worldwide, as per ITC Trade Map. Further, domestic consumption of fresh oranges is growing as consumers demand freshly squeezed orange juice in their homes, bakeries, and restaurants. They also look for pasteurized juice produced at factories operating in the country. The domestic market for fresh oranges has become a major consumer of Morocco's total orange production. Thus, the local and regional demand is thus expected to drive the production of oranges in Morocco during the forecast period.
