Rabat – Morocco is leading the list of largest exporters of fresh raspberries to the United Kingdom, EastFruit reported today.
The report revealed that Moroccan raspberry exports to the UK market have witnessed a staggering 40-fold increase over the past three years.
In the marketing year 2022/23, which runs from July to June, Morocco shipped a substantial 15,800 tonnes of fresh raspberries to the UK, generating $86 million in revenue.
These remarkable numbers have solidified Morocco’s status as the primary supplier of fresh raspberries to the UK.
Notably, just a few years ago, Moroccan raspberries were scarcely found in the British market, with exports in the marketing year 2017/18 amounting to zero.
However, the dynamics shifted following Brexit, as British importers actively sought new alternative sources. Moroccan exporters seized this opportunity, filling the gap left by other suppliers.
In 2022, the UK ranked as the fifth-largest importer of fresh raspberries globally, underlining the significance of the market.
Read also: Morocco’s Growing Raspberry, Blueberry Exports Worry Spanish Farmers
Morocco’s ascent in the UK market has been nothing short of impressive, EastFruit indicated.
In the marketing year 2019/20, the country accounted for a mere 1.5% of total fresh raspberry imports in the UK. However, by 2022/23, Morocco’s market share skyrocketed to 55%.
As a result, Morocco has now become the leading exporter of fresh raspberries to the UK, surpassing Spain, the previous leader in this category. Spain, in contrast, has witnessed a decline in its raspberry exports to the UK, with volumes shrinking by 40% over the past five seasons.
Fresh raspberries hold a significant position in Morocco’s export portfolio, ranking third in terms of export revenues, following tomatoes and mandarins. In the 2022/23 marketing year alone, these exports brought in $340 million.
Moroccan fresh raspberries primarily find their way to European countries, with the UK standing out as the most rapidly growing market. In the 2022/23 marketing year, the UK accounted for a substantial 25% share of Morocco’s total raspberry exports.
This growth underlines Morocco’s emergence as a leader in the fresh raspberry trade. In 2022, Morocco overtook the US to become the third-largest fresh raspberry exporter globally, a remarkable rise from sixth place in 2017.
