Olives market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, Morocco's fresh or chilled olive market volume showed overall growth, rising from 1 561 thousand tonnes to a peak of 1 968 thousand tonnes. This increase was primarily driven by the continuous expansion of olive cultivation areas and improved hectare yields, supported by national agricultural policies such as the 2021-2030 Contract Programme under the Generation Green strategy.

Production experienced a significant decline to 1 409 thousand tonnes in 2020, followed by a sharp drop to 988 thousand tonnes in 2023. The latter was directly caused by severe water deficit and drought conditions, which heavily impacted harvests. In response, authorities implemented mandatory export licenses to prioritize domestic supply and price stability.

Production olives in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco ranked as the world's fifth-largest producer of olives.

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

Morocco's olive production saw a two-year rise before declining. In 2020, the country produced 1 409 thousand tonnes of olives, marking a sharp year-over-year drop of 26.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 35.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 10.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 1 912 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 50.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Morocco's olive production value increased for two years before falling. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 467 million US dollars, reflecting a sudden year-over-year decline of 33.4%. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 703 million US dollars, and the largest increase happened in 2018 at 66.1%.

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

Exports olives from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 6.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Morocco exported 99.2 tonnes of olives, indicating an intense decline of 66.7% compared to 2019. The maximum volume was in 2018 at 600.6 tonnes, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 143.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Italy, Belgium, and the United States—accounted for 78.2% of Morocco's total olive exports in volume terms.

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 data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values reached their peak in 2018 and fell to their lowest in 2020, with a 7.5-fold amplitude. In 2020, Morocco exported 174 thousand US dollars worth of olives, showing a sharp reduction of 69.9% compared to 2019. The maximum value was in 2018 at 1 307 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 169.4%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Italy (33.1% of exports by value), Belgium (22.7%), and the United States (22.5%) led as the top buyers of Moroccan olives, together making up 78.3% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports olives to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes varied 5.7 times from their high in 2018 to their low in 2019. In 2020, Morocco imported 23.3 tonnes of olives, corresponding to a steep year-over-year uptick of 348.2%. The minimum volume was in 2019 at 5.2 tonnes, with the largest decline also in 2019 at 82.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the primary source for Morocco's olive imports, accounting for 77.5% of total imports in volume, while the rest was distributed among other countries.

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 exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values changed by 3.6 times from their peak in 2018 to their trough in 2019. In 2020, Morocco imported 68 thousand US dollars worth of olives, equivalent to a year-over-year increase of 238.1%. The minimum value was in 2019 at 20 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 72.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain remained the main destination for Morocco's olive imports in value terms, taking 70.7% of total flows, with the remaining share spread across various smaller markets.

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

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