Apples, pears and quinces market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the market volume for apples, pears and quinces in Morocco expanded from 836 thousand tonnes to over 1 million tonnes. This growth was primarily driven by the Green Morocco Plan, which funded the planting of around 7 000 hectares of new orchards and promoted productivity-enhancing techniques like vertical axis training and drip irrigation. The simultaneous development of modern storage and packaging infrastructure in regions such as Tafilalet further supported the market's capacity.

After a slight contraction in 2020 linked to increased sensitivity to climatic constraints, particularly water availability, the market recovered strongly in 2021. Continued varietal diversification and the emergence of new product segments, including award-winning fruit juices, fueled growth. However, by 2023, the market volume declined to 981 thousand tonnes as high production costs for inputs and labor impacted orchard profitability, coupled with a forecasted small pear harvest.

The sector continued to evolve with the strengthening of measures against the mislabeling of imported pears and the pursuit of environmental certifications for orchards. In 2024, a wet year increased scab incidence on quince trees, while apple imports reached a historic record, reflecting ongoing shifts in consumer preferences towards local fruits and adaptations to regulatory and climatic pressures.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco ranked 20th globally in the production volume of apples, pears, and quinces.

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

In 2020, Morocco produced 869.6 K t of apples, pears, and quinces, marking a 1.6% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 791.6 K t, with the largest drop of 12.1% occurring that same year. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with production rising by 11.6%.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Morocco exported 533 t of apples, pears, and quinces, a 9.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 347 t, while the highest was in 2019 at 586 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 34.1%, whereas 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with exports surging by 69.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Mauritania was the dominant destination for Morocco's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind, accounting for 76.1% of total flows. Other countries each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of apples, pears, and quinces from Morocco increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 393 K $ US, showing a notable rise of 13.8% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 296 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 26.9%. In contrast, 2019 had the biggest increase, with exports growing by 16.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Morocco in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania was the main buyer of apples, pears, and quinces from Morocco in value terms, taking 71.0% of total exports. Other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Morocco's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 40 768 t, reflecting a sharp fall of 19.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 50 347 t, with the largest increase of 15.7% occurring in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Morocco in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, Portugal was the principal source for Morocco's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind, accounting for 73.6% of total imports. Other destinations formed a less significant portion.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year increase, Morocco's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 33 005 K $ US, indicating a solid drop of 18.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 7%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The peak value was in 2019 at 40 275 K $ US, with the largest increase of 17.3% also recorded that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Morocco in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal was the dominant destination for Morocco's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms, making up 76.4% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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