Morocco’s fresh onion exports have not only rebounded following the lifting of restrictions in 2024 – they’ve reached unprecedented levels. According to EastFruit, between June 2024 and May 2025, the country exported 64,900 metric tons of fresh onions, valued at $238 million. This marks a 4.8-fold increase over the previous season and surpasses the previous record set in 2022/23 by 3%.
Historically, Morocco’s seasonal onion exports remained below 10,000 tons until 2013. A significant upward trend began in the 2013/14 season, with exports exceeding 20,000 tons. By 2018/19, volumes surpassed 40,000 tons, peaking in 2022/23 when shipments topped 60,000 tons for the first time.
However, in February 2023, the government agency Morocco Foodex imposed a ban on onion exports to West African countries, causing a sharp decline to just 13,500 tons in the 2023/24 season. The ban was lifted in summer 2024, enabling Morocco not only to restore previous volumes but to exceed them—setting a new national record.
Also read: Morocco: Economy to Grow by 3.8% as Fruit and Vegetable Exports Reach New Records
Onions remain one of Morocco’s leading vegetable exports. In 2024, they ranked fourth in export volume, trailing only tomatoes, bell peppers, and carrots.
The onion export season traditionally begins in June, peaking between July and September, with volumes tapering off from January onward. In the current season, September saw the highest monthly exports of 14,200 tons, exceeding the total for the entire previous season. This growth was largely driven by exceptionally strong shipments between October and January.
West Africa continues to be the primary destination for Moroccan onions. Mauritania led import volumes, doubling its intake compared to the 2022/23 season. Exports to Côte d’Ivoire also increased, while shipments to Mali and Senegal declined sharply. A new market emerged in the Middle East, with the United Arab Emirates importing 5,500 tons, accounting for 8.5% of Morocco’s total onion exports.
In summary, Morocco is not only expanding its fresh onion exports but also successfully entering new markets.
It’s worth noting that following the lifting of the export ban to West Africa, Morocco also resumed its potato exports.
The use of the site materials is free if there is a direct and open for search engines hyperlink to a specific publication of the East-Fruit.com website.
