Morocco has continued to consolidate its position in Ireland’s mandarin trade, extending its growth streak into a fourth consecutive season, according to EastFruit. Between October 2025 and May 2026, Ireland imported 8,700 tons of Moroccan mandarins valued at more than €9.5 million. This represents a 30 percent increase over last season and nearly double the volumes shipped four years ago, setting a new record.
Ireland may be a relatively small market, but it is entirely dependent on imports. Demand peaks during the Christmas period, when mandarins are a staple in household consumption. Irish consumers increasingly favor easy‑peeler varieties such as Clementine, Nadorcott, Satsuma, and Tango, which are seedless and simple to peel, gradually displacing traditional types with thicker skins or seeds. Average annual consumption of oranges and mandarins stands at around 12 kilograms per person.
From November through April, Spain and Morocco dominate supply, while South Africa and Peru take over from May to October. Germany also plays a role as a distribution hub, channeling citrus across the EU. In the current season, Morocco’s shipments were concentrated between December and April, with its share of imports ranging from 50 to 75 percent. The peak came in April, when more than 2,000 tons were delivered – a notable shift from previous years, when the highest volumes arrived in January or February.
Morocco is steadily displacing Spain as Ireland’s leading winter supplier, echoing developments in the UK market. Compared with the same period last season, imports from Spain fell by 30 percent, while Moroccan volumes rose by the same margin. As a result, Morocco has moved from parity with Spain last year to double its shipments this season. This points to a long‑term shift in market leadership, with Spain facing an uphill battle to reclaim lost ground. Moroccan exporters are now firmly embedded in the assortments of Ireland’s largest retail chains, and their competitive pricing combined with expanding production capacity continues to underpin growth in market share.
This success reflects Morocco’s broader expansion across Northern Europe, where the country has also set new records in mandarin exports to Germany.
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