Spanish Avocado Cultivation Investment Could Affect Moroccan Farmers

Rabat – The Spanish Agrarian Association of Young Farmers (ASAJA) announced plans to increase investments in avocado cultivation after noting a rise in demand from European consumers. 

Currently, farms in Malaga and Granada are responsible for the majority of Spain’s avocado cultivation. However, the ASAJA intends to expand to Huelva, Cadiz, and Valencia for a combined 4,560 hectares of farmland. 

Globally, Spain’s avocado exports amount to $443.38 million. 

The decision to expand avocado cultivation in Spain may have a direct impact on the Moroccan avocado market as Morocco is a leader in avocado exports to the EU. 

Morocco ranked 10th in the world for total avocado export value. 

In 2020, Morocco’s avocado export market to the EU amounted to $83.4 million. The top destinations for Moroccan avocados were Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Spain accounted for 60.2% of Morocco’s avocado exports in 2020, amounting to $50.27 million.

Although Tridge ranked Spain’s current share of avocado exports as fourth in the world, the move to ramp up distribution to the European market may have severe impacts on Moroccan farmers.

Due to the similar climates of Spain and Morocco, both countries are perfect contenders for the fruit’s cultivation.

Morocco has launched new agricultural initiatives to promote its status as an agricultural leader in Africa.

In April 2021, Morocco signed a joint agreement with Israel’s Mehadrin to allow the foreign company to use Moroccan land for avocado cultivation. The partnership will invest MAD 80 million ($8.9 million) in the first three years.

Read also: Israel’s Mehadrin Wants to Plant Avocados in Morocco

Analysts have noted the steady rise in Morocco’s avocado exports since 2013. 

The new agreement with Mehadrin has the ability to boost Morocco’s avocado exports dramatically as it is Israel’s largest grower and exporter of citrus fruits and vegetables.

As Spain and Morocco become competitors in the European avocado market, Moroccan farmers may be expected to bear the brunt of an increase in production.