Casablanca – Morocco’s watermelon exports staged a notable recovery in 2025, reversing a sharp decline seen the previous year and signaling renewed momentum in one of the country’s key agricultural export sectors. After facing severe setbacks due to drought and water scarcity, producers and exporters have gradually adapted, allowing shipments to international markets to rebound, though still below historical highs.

According to data from EastFruit, a global agricultural market intelligence platform, Morocco exported nearly 175,000 tons of watermelon during the first ten to eleven months of 2025, generating around $190 million in export revenues. This represents a 54% increase compared with 2024, when export volumes fell to about 113,500 tons—the lowest level recorded in eight years.

The recovery reflects both a revival in external demand and a growing ability among Moroccan farmers and exporters to operate under tighter water resource constraints. While production levels remain below the peak achieved in earlier years, the upward trend in 2025 suggests that the sector is gradually regaining stability.

France continues to be Morocco’s primary market for watermelon exports, absorbing approximately half of total shipments. This dominant position underscores the depth of agricultural trade ties between the two countries and France’s ongoing reliance on Moroccan supply during the European off-season.

Spain ranks as the second-largest destination, accounting for more than 23% of Moroccan watermelon exports. The United Kingdom follows in third place with a share of about 8.5%. Together, these three markets represent the majority of Morocco’s watermelon exports, reflecting a strong concentration within Europe.

Other notable destinations include Belgium, the Netherlands, Mauritania, and Germany, all of which contributed to the overall growth in exports during 2025. Shipments to the United Kingdom and Portugal in particular approached the record levels seen in 2022, indicating a gradual restoration of buyer confidence in Moroccan watermelon after the disruptions of recent years. Exports to additional markets remain limited, collectively representing around 1% of total volumes.

This recovery follows a period of significant contraction. In 2022, Morocco reached a record high in watermelon exports, with shipments totaling approximately 297,000 tons. However, consecutive years of drought and worsening water scarcity soon disrupted this upward trajectory. Water stress in key agricultural regions prompted authorities to impose strict limits on watermelon cultivation and, in some cases, introduce outright bans in areas facing severe shortages.

These measures, combined with unfavorable climatic conditions, led to a sharp decline in production and exports in 2024. As a result, Morocco dropped out of the list of the world’s top ten watermelon exporters for the first time in several years, highlighting the scale of the sector’s downturn.

The partial rebound in 2025 has allowed watermelon to return to the top five of Morocco’s fruit and berry exports, a position it had previously lost during the downturn. Although current volumes remain well below the record levels of 2022, the renewed growth reflects increased resilience across the value chain, from production and logistics to marketing and distribution.

Sector observers note that this resilience is closely tied to adjustments in farming practices, including improved irrigation efficiency, changes in crop management, and a more selective approach to planting in water-stressed areas. Exporters have also refined their market strategies, prioritizing destinations where demand remains strong and logistical channels are well established.

The recovery of watermelon exports is part of a broader rebound in Morocco’s agricultural trade. The country has also succeeded in restoring exports of other key products, including mandarins and potatoes, strengthening the overall outlook for the sector. This broader recovery suggests that Moroccan agriculture is gradually adapting to the combined pressures of climate change, water scarcity, and evolving global market conditions.

However, significant challenges remain. Water security continues to be a central concern, particularly as climate variability increases and competition for limited water resources intensifies across agriculture, industry, and urban use. Authorities face the ongoing task of balancing export ambitions with domestic food security and long-term sustainability goals.

EastFruit and other market analysts emphasize that future growth in watermelon exports will depend not only on market demand but also on the effectiveness of water management policies and the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices. Investments in modern irrigation systems, water-saving technologies, and improved crop varieties will likely play a critical role in shaping the sector’s trajectory.

In the global context, pressure on natural resources is increasing, and agricultural exporters are facing growing scrutiny over water use and environmental impact. For Morocco, maintaining its position in competitive international markets will require continued progress toward sustainable production models that align economic performance with environmental stewardship.

Despite these challenges, the strong rebound in 2025 provides a cautiously optimistic outlook. The return of Moroccan watermelon to major European markets, along with the recovery of other agricultural exports, demonstrates the sector’s capacity to adapt and recover under difficult conditions.

While a full return to record export levels remains uncertain, the current trend suggests that Morocco’s watermelon industry is regaining its footing, supported by resilient producers, established trade partnerships, and evolving strategies to manage water scarcity. The coming years will test whether this recovery can be sustained and transformed into long-term, environmentally balanced growth.