Melons market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Moroccan melon market experienced significant fluctuations. In 2018, market volume reached 441.7 thousand tonnes, supported by favorable climatic conditions and quality improvements led by major players like Idyl, which won awards for its melons. However, in 2019, the market contracted to 340.3 thousand tonnes, even as Moroccan producers maintained their historical presence in the European market. The market recovered to 445.3 thousand tonnes in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic affecting global demand, as exporters adapted by emphasizing quality and food safety.

The market continued to evolve from 2021 to 2023. In 2021, volume grew to 484.6 thousand tonnes, driven by a strategy of premium positioning: Moroccan melons were sold in Europe at prices 44% higher than Spanish ones, and sales volumes increased by over 12%. In 2022, the market declined to 434.8 thousand tonnes, although the cultivated area for melons had expanded over the previous decade. In 2023, volume fell further to 392.6 thousand tonnes, primarily due to severe drought in the Guelmim region, which led to a local ban on melon cultivation to preserve groundwater, reducing planted area.

Production melons in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco ranked as the 13th largest producer of melons globally.

Top producers of melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of melons, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, Morocco's melon production rebounded in 2020. That year, the country produced 504.9 thousand tonnes of melons, marking a significant increase of 29.3% compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production fell by 18.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 6.5%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 390.6 thousand tonnes, with the steepest year-on-year drop of 22.0% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, melon production in Morocco saw an upturn in 2020. The output was valued at 517.8 million US dollars, reflecting a strong rise of 12.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 13.1%, averaging an annual decline of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 461.9 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year decrease of 19.6% also occurring in 2019.

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

Exports melons from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Morocco exported 59 801 tonnes of melons, an increase of 18.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 5.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 50 505 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year decline of 14.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Spain together consistently accounted for 80.6% of Morocco's total melon exports by volume, indicating a highly concentrated market with numerous smaller destinations making up the remainder.

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 melon exports reached 61 336 thousand US dollars in 2020, up by 2.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 68 089 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 25.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 12.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France was the dominant market for Morocco's melon exports in value terms, accounting for 77.9% of total flows, while other markets collectively made up the rest.

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 to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Melon imports into Morocco declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with a volume of 200 tonnes, down 4.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.1%, averaging an annual decline of 4.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 267 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 17.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil remained the primary source of melon imports to Morocco, accounting for 80.9% of total import volume, while other origins played a much smaller role.

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

Melon imports into Morocco fell for the second year in a row in 2020, valued at 146 thousand US dollars, a modest decrease of 9.4% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value actually increased by 18.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 194 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 57.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 16.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil dominated Morocco's melon imports in value terms, accounting for 79.7% of total flows, with other destinations contributing relatively small shares.

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

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