The red fruits of Morocco to conquer foreign markets
The total area allocated to the cultivation of red fruits in Morocco increased from 3.035 hectares in 2009 to approximately 9.000 hectares during the last two years. The increase in cultivated areas led to a jump in fruit production. The average production of the sector is 197,000 tons this year. About 140,000 tons were destined for export.
Data from the Union of Moroccan Professionals of Fruits and Vegetables indicate that strawberry cultivation, 40% of agricultural land dedicated to red fruits, dominates most of the areas reserved for these types of fruit. Raspberries, which are growing in popularity among farmers, are the second largest crop. Cranberries have a very high added value in Morocco because they are exported to about 40 countries.
Moroccan red fruit producers have focused on improving their crops, which has allowed them to enter the markets of the five continents. The European Union represents 90% of Moroccan red fruit exports in the last two years. The remaining part of red fruit exports went to Asian markets (5%), Gulf markets (1,5%) and about 3,5% to the North American Free Trade Agreement countries, Africa, South America, Central and Eastern Europe.
Despite intense competition and climate challenges that threaten the sustainability of the sector, Morocco has intensified its efforts to boost exports of these fruits and enter new markets. The indicators suggest that the annual production of red fruit in Morocco is expected to add about 197,000 tons this season, an increase of 84% compared to 10 years ago.
Given prices that fell 25% in European markets this season, especially for blueberries, Moroccan farmers turned to the domestic market. Some farmers stopped exporting to focus on domestic markets to maintain production growth.
The professionals of the sector attributed the price drop to a large increase in the production of the same fruit in Spain, a major competitor of Moroccan products in the European Union. However, Moroccan red fruit professionals won shares in new markets, including Britain and North America.
The red fruit sector in Morocco is a driving force of the economy due to the broad export prospects. In addition to Europe, Moroccan red fruits are available in the Middle East, Asia and the United States.
The Moroccan Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries, Aziz Akhannouch, said that Moroccan products have secured greater actions in foreign markets and have entered new markets. Ministry data indicates that the red fruit sector provides more than 10 million working days, half of which are in the Rabat-Sale-Kénitra region.
With an annual return of more than $ 312 million, almost 90% of exports, the sector plays an important social and economic role in increasing state revenues and creating jobs. The ministry said that the good results at the level of production and the high demand for strawberries in European markets contributed to a significant increase in the area devoted to fruit.
ARTÍCULOS RELACIONADOS
