Virgin olive oil and fractions market in Morocco

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, Morocco's virgin olive oil market experienced notable fluctuations. Production rose from 178.4 тыс. т in 2018 to 204.2 тыс. т in 2019, then fell to 164.6 тыс. т in 2020 before recovering to 194.9 тыс. т in 2021. Market volume followed a similar pattern, reaching 191.2 тыс. т in 2021 after a dip to 157.3 тыс. т the previous year.

In 2022, production eased to 181.5 тыс. т. The following year, output collapsed by a third to 120.2 тыс. т. This sharp decline was primarily driven by a severe drought and climate change impacts, which drastically reduced the olive harvest. In response to the shortage and soaring prices, the Moroccan government imposed licensing requirements for all exports until the end of 2024 and authorized duty-free imports of virgin olive oil to secure domestic supply and stabilize the local market.

Production virgin olive oil and fractions in Morocco

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco ranked fifth globally in the production of virgin olive oil and fractions.

Top producers of virgin olive oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of virgin olive oil and fractions, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, Morocco's production of virgin olive oil and fractions declined. In 2020, the country produced 164.6 thousand tonnes, marking a significant drop of 19.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 26%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 204.2 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 36.6%.

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

Exports virgin olive oil and fractions from Morocco

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, exports reached their lowest point, then peaked in 2019, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Morocco exported 9 905 tonnes of virgin olive oil and fractions, representing a sharp decline of 54.3% from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 21 680 tonnes, with the largest annual increase also occurring that year at 75.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the United States, and Italy consistently led Morocco's export destinations by volume. Spain accounted for 45.2% of exports, the United States for 26.4%, and Italy for 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented 81.8% of total export flows.

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

Following two years of growth, Morocco's export value for virgin olive oil and fractions declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 35 510 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep fall of 40.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 18%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 59 234 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 45.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, the United States, and Italy accounted for the largest share of Morocco's export value. Spain represented 33.5% of exports by value, the United States 31.0%, and Italy 8.9%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 73.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports virgin olive oil and fractions to Morocco

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes experienced irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. Imports peaked in 2018 at 6 955 tonnes, then dropped to their lowest point in 2019 at 1 776 tonnes, a 3.9-fold difference. In 2020, Morocco imported 2 621 tonnes of virgin olive oil and fractions, representing a sharp increase of 47.6% from the previous year. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 74.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 52.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Tunisia and Spain dominated Morocco's import sources by volume, together accounting for 87.1% of total imports. Other markets contributed only a small share.

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 showed significant volatility during these years. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 26 932 thousand US dollars, while the lowest occurred in 2019 at 4 912 thousand US dollars, a 5.5-fold difference. In 2020, Morocco's imports of virgin olive oil and fractions totaled 6 091 thousand US dollars, indicating an increase of 24.0% from the previous year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 81.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 46.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tunisia and Spain strongly concentrated Morocco's import value, together accounting for 86.0% of total flows. Other trading partners represented only a residual share.

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

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