2024-04-14 18:17:59
The Kingdom continues to top the list of major exporters of vegetables and fruits to the Spanish market. Madrid imported $134 million from Rabat last January, an increase of around 45% compared to January 2023, according to the Spanish Federation of Associations of Exporting Producers of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants (FEPEX).
Indeed, during the same period, the volume of imports of Moroccan vegetables and fruits amounted to more than 57,000 tonnes, an increase estimated at around 31% compared to the same period last year. while total Spanish purchases from countries outside the European Union amounted to more than 164,000 tonnes last January, compared to 180,000 tonnes imported from European Union member states. In total, Spain imported more than 345,000 tonnes last January, an increase estimated at 11% compared to the same period of 2023.
The same figures show that last January, Spain imported 261 million dollars of vegetables and fruits from countries outside the European Union, while the value of its purchases from member states of the EU amounted to 129 million euros. Spanish imports during this period recorded an increase of 26% compared to the figures recorded in January of the year 2023.
FEPEX also noted that France continues to lead the list of main exporters of vegetables and fruits to the Spanish market within the European Union, since Paris exported more than 110 tons of agricultural products, i.e. increase of 11%. The value of imports from France was around 50 million euros, an increase of 15%.
Despite drought, tomato exports increase
According to data published by the East Fruit portal, the Kingdom generated almost $1.6 billion from its fresh vegetable exports, recording an increase of 12% compared to the previous year.
Greenhouse tomatoes remain the mainstay of Moroccan fresh vegetable exports, accounting for nearly three-quarters of total export value in 2023. Despite an 11% decrease in export volume due to exceptional summer weather conditions, Morocco maintained its position as the world’s third largest exporter of fresh tomatoes, just behind Mexico and the Netherlands.
During the same period, exports of sweet peppers increased by 4% in volume and 55% in value, reaching 174,000 tonnes and 230 million dollars respectively. Thus, sweet peppers retaining their second position in terms of income.
Added to this are exports of zucchini and pumpkins, greenhouse cucumbers, green vegetables and aromatic herbs. Morocco exported 47,000 tonnes of these vegetables, generating $45 million.
“However, maintaining such growth rates will be more difficult for local exporters in the face of climate change. The country’s greenhouse industry, which generates hundreds of millions of dollars each year, is increasingly affected by persistent droughts,” the specialist portal said.
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