Rabat – Morocco is experiencing a surge in the popularity of kiwifruits, leading to a significant increase in imports of the fruit during the first quarter of 2023.
According to recent data from EastFruit, an agriculture news outlet, the country imported a record-breaking 4,800 tonnes of kiwifruits during this period, signaling a growing preference for this fruit among Moroccans.
The report highlights that kiwifruits now rank among the top five fruits imported by Morocco. The country boasts a flourishing agricultural sector, with local farmers actively involved in the cultivation of various fruits and vegetables, including kiwifruits.
EastFruit also notes that Morocco’s climate is conducive to the successful growth of kiwifruits, enabling the country to export them as well.
The growth in kiwifruit imports is particularly noteworthy when compared to previous years. Just five years ago, Morocco imported a mere 4,500 tonnes of kiwifruits.
However, by 2022, this volume had more than doubled to reach 10,400 tonnes. Consequently, the value of kiwifruit imports exceeded $9 million in 2022, marking a substantial increase.
Morocco sources kiwifruits from various countries, including Italy, Greece, Portugal, France, Spain, Chile, and New Zealand.
Italy and Greece were the primary kiwifruit suppliers to Morocco in 2017.
Italy, with a 57% share in Morocco’s total kiwifruit imports during January to March, is well-positioned to maintain its leading status throughout 2023.
In a previous report last month, EastFruit highlighted that Morocco’s imports of raisins had also experienced a remarkable growth trajectory.
From a modest 560 tonnes in 2017, raisin imports skyrocketed to 13,000 tonnes in 2022, representing an increase of more than 20 times over the past five years.
While Morocco’s focus on imports is evident, the country has also made its mark in the export market. EastFruit’s report mentions that Morocco emerged as the sixth-largest exporter of bell peppers globally in 2022, underscoring the country’s expanding presence in international agricultural trade.
However, the increase in exports has also caused backlash from Moroccans who see that it impacts their domestic purchasing power negatively.
Faced with record droughts that have affected agricultural output, prices of food items in Morocco have skyrocketed over the past few months, leading many to call on the government to halt exports in order to satisfy domestic demand first.
Read Also: Morocco Became World’s 6th Largest Bell Pepper Exporter in 2022
