Rabat – Morocco is the leading foreign supplier of fruit and vegetables to the Spanish market with the country’s exports standing at €608 million (MAD 6 billion), showing an increase of 2% compared to the same period last year.
Morocco’s suppliers to the Spanish market are growing every year. According to the Spanish department of Customs and Special Taxes, the kingdom’s exports represent 67.5% of the total exports coming from countries outside Europe, Spain’s news outlet ValenciaFruits noted.
The data showed that “as of September 2021, imports of fruit and vegetables [to Spain] from outside Europe went from €1.186 million (MAD 12 million) to €1.622 million (MAD 17 million), with an increase of 37%.”
Over the past five years, the volume of fruit and vegetable imports from the North African country has increased by 32%, from 299,422 tonnes to 394,922 tonnes, the same source noted.
Despite fruit and vegetables from Morocco dominating the Spanish market, other countries like China, Turkey, and South Africa are also competing with Morocco’s agricultural exports.
Meanwhile Spain’s fruit and vegetable exports to non-European countries faced a downward trend of 10%, representing 288,152 tonnes in the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year.
“The downward trend in shipments outside Europe has been exacerbated this year by logistical and transport difficulties, among others, COVID-19,” the statement explained.
Moroccan fruit and vegetable exports have been expanding in European markets over the past few years, continuously exceeding expectations.
Earlier this year, the export sector of agricultural and maritime food products has recorded good performance despite the challenges imposed by the ongoing pandemic.
Read Also: Moroccan Fruit, Vegetable Exports to Spain Continue to Rise
