Casablanca – Morocco’s avocado sector is witnessing an impressive surge in production, with forecasts estimating yields between 80,000 and 90,000 tons for the current season, reflecting a significant increase of 33% to 50% compared to the previous year. This growth, driven by favorable climatic conditions and rising global demand, positions Morocco as a key player in the international avocado market. However, the sector faces mounting challenges, particularly regarding water scarcity, which threatens the sustainability of this flourishing market.

Producers are optimistic as they enter the harvest season, which spans from October to April. The country’s diverse climate has proven beneficial for cultivating avocados, allowing farmers to tap into lucrative export markets. The Hass variety, which dominates the Moroccan avocado landscape, accounts for about 80% of the production, and farmers report high-quality yields.

Despite the increased production, the avocado sector is not without its drawbacks. The fruit is known for its high water consumption, with estimates suggesting it requires between 729 and 2,000 liters of water to produce a single kilogram. This poses serious sustainability questions, especially in a country grappling with severe water shortages exacerbated by climate change, rising temperatures, and diminished rainfall.

Abdellah Elyamlahi, president of the Moroccan Association of Avocado Exporters, highlights the disparity between northern and southern Morocco. While the north benefits from adequate water reserves, regions like Agadir face significant water scarcity. Elyamlahi emphasizes the need for strategic regulations to manage water resources effectively and ensure that avocado farming does not compromise essential water supplies for other agricultural needs and communities.

Moreover, the current avocado harvest is not without its market challenges. Elyamlahi notes that this year’s fruits are smaller in size, which has raised competition on international markets, where larger fruits are more desirable. As a result, many farmers are struggling to find buyers, with two-thirds of this year’s harvest still lacking a designated market.

The outlook for the avocado sector remains promising, but stakeholders must navigate the delicate balance between increased production and sustainable water management. As Morocco’s avocado market continues to grow, the challenge will be to ensure that this burgeoning market does not exacerbate existing water shortages or undermine the resources vital for the country’s long-term agricultural sustainability.