Rabat – Between January and May, Morocco rose to become Spain’s leading supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables by value.
Official Spanish customs figures, compiled by the Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables (FEPEX), put Morocco’s shipments at €834 million – a leap of 30% compared with the same period last year.
In volume, France still holds first place with 549,069 tons sent to Spain, an increase of 11%. Morocco follows with 322,810 tons, up 26%.
The fact that Morocco leads in value but ranks second in volume shows a decisive move towards higher-quality, better-priced produce.
Spanish buyers now pay more per kilo for Moroccan goods, a sign that standards, reliability, and presentation match European expectations.
Morocco’s rise is thanks to years of targeted investment. Modern packing houses, certified farms, and improved logistics networks now allow exporters to meet the tight schedules and quality controls demanded in Spain.
This success also comes at a moment when Spanish growers face falling domestic output and frequent climate disruptions. Importers are looking to Morocco as a stable and competitive source to fill supermarket shelves.
The trend marks a historic reversal in the trade balance.
Spain, long an exporter to Morocco, now depends on the North African country for a growing share of its fruit and vegetable supply.
Yet, new growth brings responsibilities. Managing water resources, keeping export volumes in check, and protecting rural incomes will shape Morocco’s ability to keep its lead.
Morocco is facing one of its driest periods in recent years, with water scarcity pressing hard on its agricultural heartlands. Irrigation networks in key producing areas are under strain, forcing growers to adapt crop choices and farming practices.
Investments in efficient watering systems, desalination, and better resource management have so far kept production on track, but the heavy dependence on limited water reserves raises questions about how long the sector can sustain its current pace of growth.
