Casablanca – Morocco’s agri-food exports reached a record about $8.9 billion in 2025, underscoring the continued expansion of one of the country’s largest export industries despite adverse weather conditions that affected the production and overseas shipments of key crops, including citrus fruit and tomatoes.

The latest figures, presented during the annual board meeting of Morocco Foodex, show that the value of agri-food exports increased by 38% compared with 2020. The performance further strengthens the sector’s role in Morocco’s economy, with agricultural and food products accounting for nearly 18% of the country’s total merchandise exports, making the industry the Kingdom’s third-largest source of foreign currency earnings.

Export volumes also continued to rise. Morocco shipped approximately 4.7 million metric tons of agricultural and food products in 2025, representing a 9% increase from 2020 and a 49% increase compared with 2015. The figures reflect the long-term growth of Morocco’s export-oriented agricultural sector and its expanding presence in international markets.

The results were reviewed during the 2026 board meeting of Morocco Foodex, the public agency responsible for export control, quality certification and the promotion of Moroccan agricultural, food and fisheries products abroad. The meeting was chaired by Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests Ahmed El Bouari.

According to officials, the latest performance demonstrates the resilience of Morocco’s agri-food industry despite increasingly challenging climatic conditions and evolving international trade requirements. The sector has continued to expand its export contribution while adapting to stricter quality standards and growing demand for certified food products.

Morocco Foodex said it is continuing to strengthen support for exporters through technical inspections, product certification, regulatory monitoring and export promotion initiatives designed to improve the competitiveness of Moroccan products in global markets. The agency also works with producers and exporters to ensure compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards, which are becoming increasingly important for market access.

Although overall exports continued to grow, several agricultural segments recorded weaker performances during the latest export campaign.

The 2025-2026 citrus export season was particularly affected by extreme weather events that reduced exportable production. Citrus shipments declined by 12%, falling to 553,000 metric tons from 626,000 metric tons during the previous campaign.

Exports of vegetables also declined, particularly tomatoes, one of Morocco’s leading agricultural export products. While authorities did not provide updated export values for tomatoes, they said unfavorable weather conditions contributed to lower export volumes.

The mixed results highlight the growing impact of climate variability on agricultural production. Morocco has faced repeated droughts, heat waves and irregular rainfall in recent years, increasing pressure on farmers and reinforcing the need for continued investment in irrigation systems, water efficiency and climate adaptation measures.

Despite these challenges, Morocco has maintained its position as a leading exporter of fresh and processed food products to international markets, particularly across Europe, the Middle East, North America and Africa. Fresh fruits and vegetables remain among the country’s most competitive exports, alongside seafood, processed food products, olive products and other value-added agricultural goods.

Authorities are also stepping up efforts to help exporters adapt to changing international regulations. Morocco Foodex plans to organize an information and awareness mission in Agadir in September 2026 to prepare Moroccan exporters for new regulatory requirements governing fresh agri-food exports to the European Union and the United Kingdom.

The initiative will focus on upcoming measures linked to the European Green Deal, revisions to official inspection procedures and other regulatory changes that are expected to influence future access to European markets. The objective is to help Moroccan exporters meet evolving requirements while maintaining their competitiveness in key export destinations.

During the meeting, Minister El Bouari emphasized the strategic role of Morocco Foodex in supporting exports of agricultural, agri-food and fisheries products. He highlighted the agency’s work in technical controls, strategic, regulatory and commercial monitoring, export promotion and assistance for businesses seeking to meet international market standards.

The minister also stressed the importance of preserving a balance between domestic food supply and export growth. While exports remain a major source of foreign exchange and economic activity, he said maintaining adequate supplies for the domestic market remains an essential priority.

Looking ahead, the government plans to continue expanding export volumes while diversifying destination markets. It also aims to strengthen support for new exporters, particularly young entrepreneurs and startups, to broaden Morocco’s export base and encourage greater participation by smaller businesses.

These priorities are part of Morocco’s Generation Green 2020-2030 strategy, which seeks to modernize agriculture, increase value-added production, improve competitiveness and reinforce the country’s position in international food markets. Supported by continued investment in irrigation, logistics, quality certification and export promotion, the strategy aims to build a more resilient agricultural sector capable of sustaining export growth despite increasing environmental and market challenges.

The latest export data indicate that Morocco’s agri-food sector continues to strengthen its international presence. Although weather-related disruptions affected several important crops during the latest export season, higher export values and growing shipment volumes demonstrate the sector’s continued importance to Morocco’s trade performance and foreign exchange earnings, while reflecting ongoing efforts to improve competitiveness and diversify export opportunities.