Casablanca – Morocco is cementing its place as a key player in the international agricultural market, achieving significant growth in both avocado exports and vegetable shipments to the United Kingdom. These developments highlight Morocco’s expanding agricultural sector and its capacity to meet the increasing global demand for high-quality produce, despite challenges such as geopolitical tensions and extreme weather events.

Record avocado exports to Europe and beyond

In recent months, Morocco has seen impressive growth in its avocado exports, particularly to European markets. Between October and December 2024, the country exported 42,000 tons of avocados, a figure that demonstrates the rising popularity of Moroccan produce abroad. Export professionals predict that the 2024/2025 season will yield around 90,000 tons, with exports expected to reach 80,000 to 90,000 tons. The domestic market is expected to consume just 10% of this production, leaving the bulk of the harvest to feed international demand.

Moroccan avocado exporters, supported by national initiatives like the Green Morocco Plan, have made significant efforts to ensure a steady and high-quality supply of this highly demanded fruit. The country’s impressive export figures demonstrate its agricultural advancements and the resilience of its exporters, who have successfully adapted to the challenges posed by international crises and climate variations.

A key supplier of vegetables to the UK market

Morocco’s agricultural exports extend beyond avocados, with the country also being a major supplier of fresh vegetables to the United Kingdom. According to the UKFSR/2024 report, Morocco accounted for 7.5% of the UK’s total agricultural imports in 2023, a figure that underscores the country’s vital role in ensuring food security for the UK. The report emphasized Morocco’s growing presence in the British market, particularly in fresh vegetable exports, as the UK diversifies its sources of agricultural imports.

The UK’s increasing reliance on Moroccan vegetables is part of a broader trend toward securing stable food supply chains amid global disruptions caused by geopolitical conflicts and climate events. Morocco’s agricultural exports to the UK reflect the country’s growing capacity to meet international demand for quality produce. Just as with avocados, the freshness and consistency of Moroccan vegetables have made them highly sought-after in the UK, bolstering Morocco’s position as a trusted agricultural partner.

A synergistic growth in agricultural exports

The growth in both avocado and vegetable exports aligns with Morocco’s broader agricultural strategy, which is focused on expanding production and diversifying its export markets. Both sectors benefit from similar strengths: the country’s investment in irrigation systems, the development of high-yield agricultural techniques, and its strategic geographical location, which allows for timely shipments to Europe and other global markets.

Morocco’s agricultural export success is not only important for its economy but also for its strategic role in global food security. As the country continues to expand its avocado and vegetable exports, it ensures a regular supply to markets like the UK, which has become increasingly dependent on imports for its food supply. The country’s consistent quality and growing production capabilities in both sectors help to safeguard against potential supply shortages caused by external factors.

Looking ahead: Expanding markets and maintaining competitiveness

As Morocco continues to strengthen its position in global markets, the country is set to face increasing competition from other agricultural powerhouses such as Spain, Colombia, and Israel. However, Moroccan exporters are poised to meet these challenges, relying on the country’s well-established infrastructure, strategic agricultural planning, and the robust programs that have helped fuel the sector’s growth.

Both the avocado and vegetable export sectors are expected to see continued expansion in the coming months, with Moroccan farmers focusing on maintaining quality and enhancing market access. The government’s agricultural plans, combined with the resilience of Moroccan exporters, will be key to sustaining growth and ensuring that the country remains a leading supplier of fresh produce on the international stage.

Morocco’s agricultural sector is experiencing significant success, with a marked increase in both avocado exports and vegetable trade to the United Kingdom. These achievements showcase the country’s ability to provide high-quality produce to global markets, reinforcing Morocco’s position as a key player in the global agricultural supply chain.