Cucumbers and gherkins market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

Moroccan cucumber and gherkin production demonstrated strong growth over the 2018–2023 period, rising from 47 787 t to 72 687 t. This expansion was primarily driven by surging export volumes, which more than doubled from 11 004 t to 23 457 t. A key catalyst was the spike in input costs for European greenhouse growers in 2021, which sharply increased demand for Moroccan produce. Earlier, the 2019 reform of public procurement management created a more transparent environment for agri-food tenders, supporting initial production growth. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 severely disrupted supply chains and logistics, causing a temporary contraction in both output and domestic market volume.

The domestic market size fluctuated significantly, influenced by the tug-of-war between export demand and local supply. After the 2020 downturn, production rebounded strongly in 2021, pulled by export opportunities. The market faced new operational constraints starting in 2022 with the enforcement of a single-use plastic packaging ban for fresh produce, requiring adaptations in conditioning. Concurrently, wholesale market modernization projects aimed at reducing parallel circuits and price speculation improved distribution efficiency. Record export volumes in 2022, particularly to Spain and Portugal, absorbed a large share of production, momentarily reducing domestic availability.

Export momentum remained robust through 2023 despite RASFF alerts concerning pesticide residues on shipments to Portugal, which triggered stricter border controls. Persistent drought conditions in Europe continued to bolster demand for Moroccan cucumbers, allowing exports and production to reach new highs. The ongoing expansion of anti-waste legislation and a noted wholesale price increase in Casablanca by 2024 underscore the sector's adaptation to evolving packaging norms and cost pressures.

Production cucumbers and gherkins in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

World map of production of cucumbers and gherkins, 2017-2020

Morocco's production of cucumbers and gherkins reached 57,448 tonnes in 2019, marking the highest level in recent years. However, output declined to 46,416 tonnes in 2020, representing a significant year-over-year decrease of 19.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The most substantial production increase occurred in 2019, when output grew by 20.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of Morocco's cucumber and gherkin production peaked at $33,445 thousand in 2019. By 2020, this had dropped to $24,449 thousand, reflecting a 26.9% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the total value of production declined by 15.9%, equivalent to an average annual reduction of 5.6%. The strongest growth in production value was recorded in 2019, with a 27.8% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Morocco in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cucumbers and gherkins from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

Morocco's export volumes of cucumbers and gherkins showed considerable fluctuation between 2017 and 2020. Exports reached their highest point in 2018 at 11,004 tonnes, then declined by 17.1% in 2019 before recovering to 10,415 tonnes in 2020, representing a 14.1% year-over-year increase. The most dramatic export growth occurred in 2018, with a 72.3% surge. Throughout this period, export volumes varied by a factor of 1.7 between their peak and lowest levels.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain was Morocco's primary export destination for cucumbers and gherkins by volume, accounting for 53.2% of total exports. Mauritania followed with 25.3%, and France with 10.8%. Together, these three markets represented 89.3% of Morocco's total cucumber and gherkin exports during this period.

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

Morocco's cucumber and gherkin export value reached $6,026 thousand in 2018, the highest level in recent years. After declining by 11.9% in 2019, exports recovered to $5,486 thousand in 2020, representing a modest 3.3% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 44%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.9%. The most significant export value increase occurred in 2018, with a 58.2% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain dominated Morocco's cucumber and gherkin exports by value, accounting for 66.5% of total export earnings. France and Mauritania each represented 10.2% of export value. Together, these three markets accounted for 86.9% of Morocco's total cucumber and gherkin export revenue during this period.

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

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

Imports cucumbers and gherkins to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Morocco's cucumber and gherkin imports showed extreme volatility between 2017 and 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at virtually zero tonnes, then surged dramatically to 14 tonnes in 2020, representing an extraordinary 116,533.3% year-over-year increase. The most substantial import decline occurred in 2019, with a 98.5% decrease. Throughout this period, import volumes varied by a factor of 1,166 between their highest and lowest levels.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Senegal and Mauritania were Morocco's primary sources for cucumber and gherkin imports by volume, jointly accounting for 94.3% of total imports. Other trading partners made up the remaining 5.7% of import volumes during this period.

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

Morocco's cucumber and gherkin import value showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at virtually zero dollars, then surged to $3 thousand in 2020, representing an extraordinary 19,403.4% year-over-year increase. The most substantial import value decline occurred in 2019, with a 98.6% decrease. Throughout this period, import values varied by a factor of 195 between their highest and lowest levels.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal was Morocco's leading source of cucumber and gherkin imports by value, accounting for 47.6% of total import spending. Spain followed with 28.6%, and Mauritania with 23.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 100% of Morocco's cucumber and gherkin import expenditure during this period.

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

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