Rabat – Morocco’s berry sector is undergoing a major transformation. Once dominated by strawberries, the market is now led by raspberries and blueberries, which are gaining ground fast thanks to higher margins and growing European demand.
The country set a new export record for raspberries in the 2024-2025 season, producing 64,400 tons worth nearly $487 million, up 13.8% from the previous year. That makes raspberries Morocco’s second-largest agricultural export after tomatoes.
The UK remains the top buyer, taking more than 30% of the volume, followed by Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, and France.
Blueberries are also on a sharp rise. Morocco exported around 67,300 tons of fresh blueberries in the 2023-2024 season, a 25% jump from the prior season. This has solidified the country’s place as the fourth-largest berry exporter in the world.
Strawberries are meanwhile slipping, with cultivation having fallen from about 3,700 hectares in 2022 to 2,300 hectares in 2025.
Farmers say the reasons are lower profitability, tighter margins, fierce competition from Egypt, and damage from unpredictable rain and heat. For many, raspberries and blueberries are safer bets and less labor-intensive, more scalable, and offer steadier returns.
According to Nabil Belmkaddem, director of the BestBerry cooperative, the shift isn’t just about switching fruits, but about building resilience by choosing markets, seasonality, and long-term viability.
From season timing to new regions
Timing and geography now define Morocco’s berry strategy. Strawberries are mainly grown from November to March, while raspberries and blueberries extend Morocco’s export window—harvested from September to June and October to June, respectively.
This flexibility allows Moroccan farmers to fill supply gaps during Europe’s off-season.
Traditional growing zones in Loukkos and Agadir remain central, but new regions are taking root. Dakhla is emerging as a promising hub thanks to large-scale irrigation projects using desalinated seawater, and farmers in the Atlas region are now producing summer blueberries, stretching Morocco’s export season even further.
Growers are also adopting modern greenhouses, improved plant varieties, and larger nursery trays to raise yields. Although blueberries require a higher upfront investment, they are viewed as more profitable and less technically demanding over time.
However, water scarcity, climate change, and labor shortages weigh heavily on production. Rising costs for inputs and stricter European phytosanitary standards make compliance expensive. Inflation and the limited availability of skilled workers are further squeezing profit margins.
Yet the overall trend remains upward. Farmers are innovating—investing in local nurseries, better irrigation systems, and new technologies to maintain Morocco’s edge.
With its proximity to Europe, favorable climate, and skilled workforce, the country remains well-positioned to keep expanding its berry exports.
Morocco’s turn toward raspberries and blueberries over strawberries marks more than a passing trend. It’s a reflection of global demand shifts, economic pragmatism, and climate adaptation.
If water, labor, and quality challenges can be managed, Morocco’s fields seem poised to keep bearing the fruits of change, quite literally.
Read Also: Morocco’s Imports Drop 5.7% and Exports 0.8% in Q2 2025, Official Data Shows
