Casablanca – As summer sets in and temperatures climb, Moroccans increasingly turn to cold fruits such as oranges, watermelon, peaches, and others to help alleviate the heat. Experts predict a decrease in the prices of these products in local markets, driven by an increase in production lines and a decline in the export market.

The summer season, characterized by high temperatures, leads Moroccan citizens to prefer various cold fruits, which see a market boom during this period. This mainly includes watermelons and various types of melons, as well as grapes, peaches, and other fruits.

The peak production seasons for these fruits coincide with the summer season, contributing to their increased demand. These fruits are primarily produced in several regions, particularly the Meknes-Fes region and the Souss-Massa region.

Currently, the prices of these agricultural products are stable in local markets, largely due to the steady export market. For instance, the price of peaches ranges between $0.93 and $1.24, while the price of watermelon ranges between $0.21 and $0.31 per kilogram.

The stability in prices can be attributed to the relative decline in the export market. Morocco has limited the export of certain water-intensive products like watermelon. At the same time, some European countries such as the Netherlands and Spain are supplying other European markets with certain types of cold fruits that have reached their production peak in these exporting countries.

Watermelon, previously one of the most consumed fruits during the summer, has recently become a significant burden on water resources, prompting authorities to limit its cultivation. Oranges are also highly consumed during this period, and their price is affordable for everyone due to a significant production increase this year, contributing to price stability in local markets.

Prickly pear, which will reach its production peak in two weeks, is a popular fruit among Moroccans during the summer season. However, several regions in Morocco have stopped producing it due to various factors, putting great pressure on the southern regions known for this fruit, which alone cannot meet the national market demand.

The main reason for the high prices of some seasonal agricultural products is the lack of rainfall, which does not meet the needs of the cultivated areas. However, it is expected that the prices of the most consumed fruits in the summer will decrease in local markets in the coming days, supported by new regions in Morocco entering the production line to boost the supply of these fruits.