Morocco’s mandarin exports, which have been declining since 2022, are experiencing a strong recovery, according to EastFruit. Data from Morocco’s Office des Changes indicates that from July 2024 to February 2025, Morocco exported 436,000 tons of mandarins valued at $369 million. This represents a 13.3% increase compared to the same period in MY 2022/23 and an 11.3% rise over the entire MY 2023/24.
The peak export window for Moroccan mandarins spans November to February, aligning with heightened demand for festive citrus fruits. In MY 2024/25, Morocco achieved record-breaking shipments of 94,000 tons in November and 122,300 tons in December 2024.
Mandarins are a cornerstone of Morocco’s fruit and vegetable export sector, second only to tomatoes. Globally, Morocco ranks among the top five mandarin exporters and briefly held a top-three position in 2022. However, severe droughts and adverse weather conditions in 2022 and 2023 drastically reduced yields, leading to lower export volumes. In 2023, the crisis deepened, prompting authorities to permit exports of mandarins with less than 50% juice content, reflecting a significant dip in quality.
The turnaround in MY 2024/25 is attributed to favorable weather and widespread adoption of drip irrigation. The USDA’s annual report projects Morocco’s mandarin production at 1.1 million tons for MY 2024/25, a 16% increase from MY 2023/24, with exports expected to reach 500,000 tons.
Russia, the United States, and Canada are the primary markets, collectively accounting for half of Morocco’s mandarin exports. In MY 2024/25, Russia imported 88,200 tons (20.2% of total exports, up 11.6% from MY 2023/24), while Canada boosted its imports by 8% to 65,800 tons. Key European markets, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France, continue to see growing volumes.
Morocco is also diversifying its export markets, increasing the number of importing countries from 58 in MY 2023/24 to 61 in MY 2024/25. Emerging markets such as Germany, South Africa, Lithuania, Guinea, Brazil, and Belgium show significant promise. Notably, Germany and Lithuania doubled their imports compared to previous marketing years, while Belgium and Brazil are experiencing steady growth. These markets signal long-term potential driven by rising demand for Moroccan citrus.
Despite this progress, Morocco faces challenges. Intense competition from major exporters like Spain and Turkey necessitates ongoing improvements in quality and logistics. Moreover, shifting climate patterns pose risks to future yields, underscoring the importance of investing in sustainable agricultural practices and technologies to ensure long-term resilience.
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