Aubergines market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Production of fresh aubergines in Northern Africa started the period with significant growth, rising from 1 503 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1 691 thousand tonnes in 2019. This increase coincided with Morocco's strengthened export activity, as the country entered the top 15 global aubergine exporters and the value of its exports grew by 32.8% between 2014 and 2019. The solid external market position supported domestic production and market volume, which reached 1 687 thousand tonnes in 2019.

After a slight contraction to 1 612 thousand tonnes in 2020, production recovered to 1 781 thousand tonnes in 2021 and then surged to a record 2 331 thousand tonnes in 2022. Market volume followed, peaking at 2 322 thousand tonnes, demonstrating the sector's capacity for rapid expansion during these years.

In 2023, production eased to 2 232 thousand tonnes and market volume to 2 225 thousand tonnes. During this time, Moroccan producers faced heightened competition on international markets, particularly from Spain, the Netherlands, and Turkey, which may have influenced output decisions. By 2024, Moroccan aubergine exports to Europe had multiplied sixfold over three years, and a phytosanitary evaluation process began to prepare for access to the U.S. market, opening new prospects. Climatic factors such as cold and drought continued to affect local production and prices.

Production aubergines in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

In 2019, Northern Africa produced 1 691 K t of aubergines, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production dropped to 1 612 K t in 2020, representing a 4.7% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 3.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 503 K t, a 10.4% drop from 2017. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production rising by 12.5% compared to 2018.

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

Exports aubergines from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, aubergine exports from Northern Africa reached their peak at 6 190 t, a significant 52.0% increase from the previous year. However, exports fell sharply in 2019 to 3 588 t, marking a 42.0% decline. By 2020, exports rebounded to 5 036 t, showing a strong 40.4% year-over-year growth. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, total exports increased by 23.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of aubergines from Northern Africa were Mauritania, accounting for 58.5% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia with 6.6%, and Romania at 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented 71.4% of total exports in kind during this period.

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, K $ US

Northern Africa's aubergine exports in value terms have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 769 K $ US, a slight decrease of 2.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, total exports in value fell by 12.1%, with an average annual decline of 4.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, and Romania were notable buyers of aubergines from Northern Africa in value terms, with shares of 19.1%, 13.3%, and 12.3%, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 44.7% of total exports in value, indicating that no single partner dominated the market.

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 aubergines to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Aubergine imports into Northern Africa showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at just 10 t, a 55.8% decrease from the previous year. However, in 2020, imports surged to 40 t, a dramatic 307.4% increase compared to 2019. This created a 4.1-fold difference between the minimum in 2019 and the maximum in 2020, highlighting the market's irregular changes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritania and the Netherlands were the primary sources for aubergine imports in kind to Northern Africa, together accounting for 7.5% of total import 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, K $ US

In 2020, aubergine imports into Northern Africa in value terms reached 35 K $ US, a strong increase of 24.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 52.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 24.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import market for aubergines in value terms was highly fragmented. The Netherlands led with 17.1% of imports, followed by Mauritania at 4.3% and Thailand at 2.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 24.2% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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