Apple market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Apple production in Northern Africa demonstrated steady growth from 2,049 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 2,533 thousand tonnes in 2023. The total market volume followed a similar upward trajectory, peaking at 2,902 thousand tonnes in 2022 before declining to 2,769 thousand tonnes in 2023.

This expansion was driven by Morocco's rising prominence as a global apple producer, which bolstered regional output. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 spurred higher domestic consumption during lockdowns, sustaining market demand. However, a significant reduction in apple imports during 2023 contributed directly to the downturn in overall market volume that year.

Import activity rebounded sharply in 2024, with Morocco recording unprecedented import levels for apples, reflecting strong consumer preference for international varieties alongside local production.

Production apple in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

Apple production in Northern Africa has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2,266 thousand tons of apples, marking a 3.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,049 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 4.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Apple production in Northern Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1,960 million US dollars, showing a slight uptick of 1.1% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 12%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apple from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.9 thousand tons and peaked in 2017, representing a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, apple shipments from Northern Africa to abroad stood at 0.9 thousand tons, corresponding to a substantial drop of 16.7% relative to the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 77.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 30.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, apple exports from Northern Africa were distributed across numerous markets. Germany accounted for 13.3% of exports in kind, Belgium for 9.5%, and Iraq for 8.6%, with these three countries jointly making up only 31.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Export values peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, showing a fluctuation of 3.9 times. In 2020, apple shipments from Northern Africa to abroad reached 0.8 million US dollars, representing a robust decline of 18.4% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 74.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 21.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017 to 2020, apple exports in value terms from Northern Africa were spread across a large number of markets. Germany contributed 13.5% of exports in value terms, Belgium 9.7%, and Iraq 8.7%, with these three countries together accounting for only 31.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports apple to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes dropped to a low in 2018 at 207.0 thousand tons and rose to a high in 2019 at 457.1 thousand tons, varying by 2.2 times between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa's volume of apple imports totaled 349.9 thousand tons, which is 23.4% smaller than in 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 120.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Poland, and Greece remained the leading sources in the country structure of apple imports in kind. Italy accounted for 29.9% of imports, Poland for 26.2%, and Greece for 16.8%, with a combined share of 72.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values reached their lowest point in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, showing a 1.8-fold shift. In 2020, Northern Africa's apple imports amounted to 361.8 million US dollars, reflecting a solid drop of 17.4% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 438.1 million US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 74.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Italy, Poland, and Greece continued to be the main suppliers of apples to Northern Africa in value terms. Italy accounted for 29.9% of imports, Poland for 27.2%, and Greece for 17.6%, jointly forming 74.7% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020