Long-term prospects for fresh citrus exports in Morocco

Currently, Moroccan citrus production can hardly keep up with growing demand from both export and local markets.

 

 

In recent years, Morocco has not been able to fill the duty-free quota granted by the EU for Clementines (168,000 MT) and oranges (326,000 MT). Often, prices in the local markets reach levels at which many farmers consider it more beneficial to sell their products locally and avoid the risks and delays in payment of selling in the export markets.

 

 

Moroccan exporters have been focusing on the Russian market recently despite stiff competition from third countries. The Russian market has been appealing to the Moroccan exporters because of the difficulties they have been facing to comply with increasingly complex EU standards and requirements as well as the incentives that the government is providing when exporting to non EU countries.

 

 

During the MY 2008/09, the Russian market absorbed about 45% of the total small fruits export and 43% of oranges compared to 30 % and 53 %, respectively for the EU.

Morocco’s exports of fresh citrus fruits by destination for the past three years, and first 6 months of 2009 reveal that there has been growing importance of the Russian market. The EU market still holds an important position as an important export destination for Morocco’s citrus.