Melons and papayas market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

The Moroccan melon and papaya market was heavily geared toward exports to the EU, supported by infrastructure improvements and quality standards set by a professional association. This export focus helped maintain production, but in 2019 a decline in yields led to a drop in output and market volume. Despite logistical challenges and rising costs from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, export volumes increased, contributing to a slight market recovery.

A surge in European demand and export prices 44% higher than those from Spain drove production and market growth in 2021. However, from 2022 onward, intensifying water scarcity, temporary planting bans for melons, and rising production costs reduced cultivated area. These constraints sharply lowered production, causing the market volume to fall significantly in 2022 and 2023.

Production melons and papayas in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco ranked as the 20th largest global producer of melons and papayas.

Top producers of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons and papayas, 2017-2020

In 2020, Morocco produced 1 184.5 thousand tonnes of melons and papayas, marking a 10.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 067.7 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 1 245.2 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production fell by 14.3%.

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

Exports melons and papayas from Morocco

Exports in kind, K t

Morocco's cross-border shipments of melons and papayas grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 305.3 thousand tonnes, up 40.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 56.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Spain, and the Netherlands were the main buyers of Moroccan melons and papayas by volume. France accounted for 42.1% of exports, Spain for 31.1%, and the Netherlands for 7.3%. Together, these three countries represented 80.4% of total export volumes.

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

In 2020, Morocco's melons and papayas exports reached 224.2 million US dollars, a 40.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 66.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 18.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with a 44.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Spain, and the Netherlands were the primary destinations for Moroccan melons and papayas by value. France held a 50.3% share of export value, Spain 28.2%, and the Netherlands 6.5%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 85.0% 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 melons and papayas to Morocco

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Morocco's imports of melons and papayas by volume saw a modest increase. In 2020, imports totaled 0.3 thousand tonnes, up 4.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop that year of 14.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil dominated Morocco's import structure for melons and papayas by volume, holding a 73.0% share of total imports. Other markets contributed relatively small portions.

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 imports of melons and papayas by value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 0.2 million US dollars, down 4.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The highest import value was in 2018 at 0.2 million US dollars, with the largest decrease in 2019 of 8.6% and the biggest increase in 2018 of 20.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco's import structure by value was heavily concentrated on Brazil, which accounted for 73.6% of total import value. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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