Rabat - Morocco’s agricultural sector is expecting to produce around two million metric tons (MT) of citrus fruits this season, according to L’Economiste.Although the fruit development period (June-July 2015) was marked by significant declines in bloom, especially in the Souss region, which produces half of the citrus and 70 percent of exports, l’Economiste predicted a productive citrus fruit season that will be mainly exported to European and North American markets.
Rabat – Morocco’s agricultural sector is expecting to produce around two million metric tons (MT) of citrus fruits this season, according to L’Economiste.
Although the fruit development period (June-July 2015) was marked by significant declines in bloom, especially in the Souss region, which produces half of the citrus and 70 percent of exports, l’Economiste predicted a productive citrus fruit season that will be mainly exported to European and North American markets.
The Ministry of Agriculture does not provide harvest forecasts for second consecutive year, said the same source, even though the export season started nearly a month. The estimate, put together by industry players, represents a production increase of 6.7 percent compared to the previous season.
For inter-professionals, the export volume is expected to be between 500,000 and 520,000 tons for all varieties, “with the predominance of soft citrus, which will make up around three-quarters of the total export volume this season,” Ahmed Darrab, Secretary General of Morocco’s Citrus Growers Association (ASPAM) said.
Darrab added that “Although last season has resulted in a low volume, it helped to improve the situation in terms of revenue and gain share in the EU market.”
Russia, which monopolized almost 60 percent of exports, has seen its share reduced to 40 percent.
Morocco is boosting its exports to the European Union and North America, the same source noted.
