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Rabat – Morocco’s onion farmers and traders have entered a new chapter.
After a year marked by restrictions and setbacks, the country’s fresh onion exports not only recovered in 2024 but reached levels never seen before.
Data from EastFruit show that between June 2024 and May 2025 Morocco exported 64,900 metric tons of fresh onions valued at $238 million.
The figure represents nearly five times the volume of the previous season and edges past the 2022/23 record by 3%.
This growth crowns a longer story. For years Morocco’s onion exports barely crossed 10,000 tons. A turning point came in 2013/14 when volumes doubled to more than 20,000 tons. By 2018/19 shipments passed 40,000 tons and in 2022/23 they exceeded 60,000 tons for the first time.
That rise stalled in February 2023 when Morocco Foodex blocked onion exports to West African markets. Volumes collapsed to 13,500 tons for the 2023/24 season.
Once the restrictions were lifted in the summer of 2024 Morocco reclaimed its earlier standing, and even moved beyond it.
Onions remain one of Morocco’s signature vegetables on the international market. In 2024 they ranked fourth among exports, behind tomatoes, bell peppers and carrots.
The season usually begins in June, with July through September marking the busiest months. September alone saw 14,200 tons leave Morocco, more than the entire volume of the previous season. Strong demand between October and January also gave the new record its shape.
West Africa continues to anchor the trade. Mauritania led the way, doubling its imports compared to 2022/23, while Ivory Coast also raised its share.
Shipments to Mali and Senegal by contrast declined sharply. Beyond Africa, a new market opened in the Gulf where the UAE imported 5,500 tons, equal to 8.5% of Morocco’s onion exports.
The rebound was not limited to onions. Morocco also returned to the potato market after the same restrictions were lifted, another signal of renewed agricultural momentum.
In less than a year, Morocco moved from a collapse in exports to a record season, proving the resilience of its farmers and its position as a supplier to traditional partners and new markets.
