Strawberries market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Morocco's strawberry market volume grew from 125 thousand tons to 147 thousand tons, peaking in 2020. This expansion was driven by the state-led Plan Maroc Vert, which supported increased cultivation areas and improved agricultural techniques. The adoption of organic farming legislation in September 2018 laid the groundwork for certification. By 2019, production reached a record 200 thousand tons, with 60-70% of output exported to the EU and Japan, bolstering domestic market size.

The market then contracted to 123 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 110 thousand tons in 2022. This decline coincided with rising competition from Egypt, which offered strawberries at 10-15% lower prices and expanded frozen production. Additionally, the preferential tariff regime for EU exports ended in March 2022, raising market access costs. Cultivated area began to shrink as growers shifted toward more lucrative berries like raspberries and blueberries.

A partial recovery to 120 thousand tons occurred in 2023, supported by growing frozen strawberry exports to Japan, where Morocco captured 35% of imports. Despite continued area reduction, exporters adapted by enhancing phytosanitary compliance and diversifying into frozen segments. In 2024, frozen exports to Japan rose 14%, offsetting losses from fresh exports to Europe.

Production strawberries in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco ranked as the world's 12th largest producer of strawberries.

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

In 2020, Morocco produced 167.0 thousand tonnes of strawberries, remaining virtually unchanged from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 143.4 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 167.8 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 11.3%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 17.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Morocco's strawberry output was valued at 526.2 million US dollars, reflecting a slight decline of 0.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 23.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 368.8 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 531.1 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, falling by 13.3%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 44.0%.

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

Exports strawberries from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Morocco exported 20 046 tonnes of strawberries, down by 6.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 18 273 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 21 538 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 17.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and the Netherlands were the primary destinations for Morocco's strawberry exports in volume terms, with other markets playing a less significant role individually.

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

In 2020, Morocco exported strawberries worth 63 178 thousand US dollars, marking a modest reduction of 7.3% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 23.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 46 983 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 68 165 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, falling by 8.1%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 45.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain and the Netherlands dominated Morocco's strawberry exports in value terms, accounting for a combined 86.4% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports strawberries to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 1 tonne, declining by 97.8% from the previous year. By 2020, Morocco's strawberry imports rebounded to 22 tonnes, a sharp increase of 1 671.3% compared to 2019. Overall, imports varied widely, with a 275-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was the overwhelmingly dominant supplier of strawberries to Morocco, accounting for 99.6% of total imports in volume terms.

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

Import values exhibited considerable volatility over these years. In 2019, imports hit their lowest level at 1 thousand US dollars, dropping by 99.2%. In 2020, Morocco's strawberry imports surged to 14 thousand US dollars, a steep rise of 1 095.7% from the previous year. Overall, imports fluctuated significantly, with a 152-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain served as the main source for Morocco's strawberry imports, consistently representing 99.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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