Dates market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

The Moroccan dates market from 2018 to 2023 saw significant volume shifts, primarily driven by weather-related challenges to domestic production. Severe drought, particularly acute in the southeastern oases in 2023, drastically reduced the harvest of high-value varieties like Boufeggous, pulling production down to 107 thousand tonnes in 2023 from 150 thousand tonnes in 2021. Government initiatives under the Green Morocco Plan, including the expansion of palm grove area to over 61 000 ha and a 7.47 billion dirham contract-program for orchard rehabilitation and storage infrastructure, helped counter these effects, contributing to a production surge to 143 thousand tonnes in 2020.

Imports played a crucial compensating role, especially after a 2019 preferential agreement exempted Tunisian dates from import duties, solidifying Morocco's position as the top market for Tunisian dates. This trade flow later diversified, with Egyptian dates gaining a 31% import share by 2023 due to logistical advantages and earlier harvests. Policy measures like the import quotas introduced in 2023, intended to shield local growers, coincided with market price increases and calls for streamlined import procedures to combat fraud.

Overall market volume fluctuated from 208 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 262 thousand tonnes in 2021, before declining to 237 thousand tonnes in 2023. The 2021 peak was fueled by both recovering domestic production from new plantations and a sharp rise in imports. The subsequent contraction reflects the persistent constraint of drought on local supply, even as imports remained high, reaching 132 thousand tonnes in 2023.

Production dates in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco ranked as the 13th largest producer of dates globally, solidifying its position among the world's leading producers.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

Morocco's dates production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 143.2 K t of dates, marking a significant 41.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 10.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 101.5 K t, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 13.8%.

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

Exports dates from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

Morocco's dates exports continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 3 594 t of dates, representing a substantial 241.0% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 1 917.7%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 172.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya formed the core markets for Morocco's dates exports by volume. Tunisia accounted for 31.8% of exports, Egypt for 30.5%, and Libya for 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented 74.6% 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

The export market for dates from Morocco exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.2 M $ US and peaked in 2020 at 6.4 M $ US, representing a 32-fold increase between these years. In 2020, exports showed a steep year-on-year advance of 247.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 43.6%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019, with growth of 815.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia, Egypt, and France were the top buyers of Moroccan dates by value. Tunisia led with 36.2% of export value, followed by Egypt at 19.3%, and France at 12.2%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 67.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports dates to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Morocco's dates imports declined. In 2020, import volume totaled 74 074 t, which was 25.1% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 98 871 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with growth of 39.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt were the primary sources for Morocco's dates imports by volume, together accounting for 84.4% of total import flows.

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

Morocco's dates imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 155.0 M $ US, showing a modest decrease of 8.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 32.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 170.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 45.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt were the main suppliers of dates to Morocco by value. Tunisia contributed 42.7% of import value, the United Arab Emirates 25.5%, and Egypt 11.1%. Together, these three countries comprised 79.2% of total import value.

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

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