Lemons and limes market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Moroccan lemons and limes production initially increased from 39 687 tons to 44 919 tons, supported by the expansion of citrus acreage under the government's Plan Maroc Vert, which targeted 130,000 hectares of productive land by 2022. The emerging COVID-19 pandemic boosted consumer interest in citrus for its vitamin C content. Nevertheless, production declined to 34 600 tons in 2020, with market volume falling to 19 780 tons.

In 2021, production rebounded to 41 197 tons and market volume rose sharply to 33 387 tons, driven by revived demand from the hotel and restaurant sector after pandemic restrictions eased. Output peaked in 2022 at 48 957 tons, while market volume reached 40 726 tons. During this period, efforts to modernize wholesale fruit and vegetable markets through new trading platforms and legislative changes aimed at improving distribution infrastructure.

By 2023, severe drought and water scarcity reduced cultivated area by approximately 6%, leading to an estimated 22% drop in lemons and limes production to 38 198 tons. Market volume correspondingly fell to 32 110 tons, reflecting the impact of adverse weather on both supply and consumption.

Production lemons and limes in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

World map of production of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

Morocco produced 34 600 tonnes of lemons and limes in 2020, marking a 23.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 44 919 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 13.2% also occurring that year.

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

Exports lemons and limes from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Morocco exported 14 967 tonnes of lemons and limes, showing a slight decline of 2.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 27.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.3%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 10 739 tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 15 345 tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 with an 8.8% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 42.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Mauritania, and Senegal formed the core group of markets for Morocco's lemon and lime exports by volume. Russia accounted for 37.8% of exports, Mauritania for 27.5%, and Senegal for 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented 74.4% 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, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Exports in value terms peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Morocco's lemon and lime exports were valued at 10 620 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong increase of 21.6% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 023 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 40.9% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 117.2% surge.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia, Mauritania, and Canada remained the key partners for Morocco's lemon and lime exports by value. Russia accounted for 45.4% of export value, Mauritania for 11.5%, and Canada for 8.0%. Collectively, these three markets represented 64.9% 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 lemons and limes to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Morocco imported 147 tonnes of lemons and limes in 2020, representing a 22.6% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 26.4%, which equates to an average annual decline of 9.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 22.1% rise.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Spain was the primary and nearly exclusive source for Morocco's lemon and lime imports by volume, accounting for 90.6% 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, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Imports in value terms peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2020, showing a threefold variation. In 2020, Morocco imported lemons and limes worth 257 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 66.4% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 257 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 141.6% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the dominant source for Morocco's lemon and lime imports by value, accounting for 89.2% of total imports. Other destinations played a much smaller role in the import structure.

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

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