Citrus fruit market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Moroccan citrus fruit market volume expanded, supported by substantial public and private investments under the Green Morocco Plan, which increased cultivated area to 126,000 hectares. This infrastructure development boosted production capacity, while a decline in European Union citrus output heightened demand for Moroccan exports, further stimulating domestic harvests.

In 2020, severe drought and water scarcity caused a sharp drop in production, reducing market volume by over 30%. The following year saw a recovery as improved conditions and strong export momentum, particularly to the United States and African markets, led to a record harvest and a 40% surge in exports, pushing market volume back above 4 million tonnes.

Market volume reached a peak in 2022 with sustained production growth and record exports. However, in 2023, thermal stress, persistent water shortages, and rising input costs triggered another severe decline, with mandarin production falling by 34% and orange exports hitting an eight-year low, pulling overall market volume down to 2.7 million tonnes.

Production citrus fruit in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco ranked 16th globally in citrus fruit production volume.

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2020, Morocco produced 3 575 K t of citrus fruit, marking a sharp year-on-year decline of 31.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 24.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.0%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 5 245 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.7%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Morocco

Exports in kind, K t

Morocco's citrus fruit exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 576.9 K t, down 11.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 15.4%, with a CAGR of -5.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 739.2 K t, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 8.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the steepest decline of 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, France, and Canada were the core markets for Morocco's citrus fruit exports in volume terms. Russia accounted for 32.4% of exports, France for 13.1%, and Canada for 10.8%, together representing 56.3% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

Morocco's citrus fruit exports in value terms increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 524.9 million US dollars, up 3.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 36.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Russia, France, and Canada formed the core group of markets for Morocco's citrus fruit exports in value terms. Russia contributed 27.5% of export value, France 15.2%, and Canada 13.2%, collectively accounting for 55.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Morocco

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, Morocco's citrus fruit import volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 0.4 K t, showing a significant drop of 12.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 13.2%, with a CAGR of 4.2%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.4 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 26.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Spain, South Africa, and Senegal—together accounted for 87.7% of Morocco's total citrus fruit imports in volume terms.

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, M $ US

Following a two-year advance, Morocco's citrus fruit imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 0.2 million US dollars, representing a substantial decrease of 53.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 31.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 0.4 million US dollars, while 2018 experienced the largest annual increase of 68.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Spain was the dominant source for Morocco's citrus fruit imports in value terms, accounting for 71.6% 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