Sweet potatoe market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

The Moroccan sweet potato market volume contracted sharply from 18 095 t in 2018 to 7 029 t in 2020. This decline occurred despite the supportive framework of the Plan Maroc Vert, as the sector faced cultivation challenges including high costs and labor intensity, alongside recurrent droughts that affected agricultural output. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further slowed production projects and disrupted activities.

From 2021, the market rebounded, reaching 12 089 t in 2023. This recovery was driven by strong export growth, with Morocco doubling its sweet potato exports to a record 1 200 t in 2022 due to rising demand in European markets such as the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Investor interest in the sector increased, and ongoing agricultural modernization efforts focused on irrigation and logistics helped support production expansion.

Production sweet potatoe in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

World map of production of sweet potatoe, 2017-2020

Sweet potato production in Morocco declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Morocco produced 7 430 tonnes of sweet potatoes, marking a significant decline of 20.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 53.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 22.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 18 120 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 48.3%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, with a rise of 13.5%.

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

Exports sweet potatoe from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 31.5 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 401.1 tonnes, representing a 12.7-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Morocco exported 401.1 tonnes of sweet potatoes, which was 56.8% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 65.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a surge of 711.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal dominated the country structure of exports in kind, accounting for 72.3% of total flows, while other destinations held relatively small shares.

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 exhibited volatility during these years. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2018 at 13.7 thousand US dollars and climbed to their maximum in 2020 at 281.2 thousand US dollars, showing a 21-fold shift. In 2020, sweet potato exports from Morocco amounted to 281.2 thousand US dollars, an increase of 43.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 74.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 1 339.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical pattern of exports in value terms was characterized by a strong dominance of Portugal, which held a share of 77.0% of total flows, with other partners accounting for relatively minor portions.

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

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

Imports sweet potatoe to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Market performance displayed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 6.4 tonnes, with a 133-fold gap between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of sweet potatoes to Morocco totaled 0.5 tonnes, representing an abrupt fall of 84.6% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 13 201.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal clearly dominated the list of suppliers of sweet potatoes to Morocco, accounting for 94.8% of total imports in kind.

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 showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 2.1 thousand US dollars, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 103 times. In 2020, sweet potato shipments to Morocco from abroad reached 1.0 thousand US dollars, down by 37.2% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a surge of 10 161.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Portugal played a leading role in imports in value terms of sweet potatoes to Morocco, with a share of 78.2% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed across other partners.

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

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