After a steady five-year decline, Moroccan potato exports reached a record low in the MY 2022/23, according to data analytics platform “EastFruit.”
Four years ago, Moroccan potato exporters exported approximately 100,000 tons of the vegetable, valued at $26 million, to foreign countries. However, since then, external sales have consistently declined by 44-48% each year, resulting in a nearly five-fold drop in export revenue over the span of a few years.
These declining figures have caused Morocco to drop from 21st in 2019 to 25th in 2022 on the list of global potato exporters.
During the current season, only 27,900 tons of potatoes were shipped to foreign markets from July to June, generating the lowest revenue in five years, amounting to $5.7 million.
In the MY 2016/17, Moroccan potatoes were exported to only 24 foreign markets, whereas now they reach consumers in 44 different countries.
Regarding exports to the European Union, Moroccan potato shipments reached their peak in the MY 2018/19 due to a severe drought in Europe. Moroccan suppliers capitalized on this opportunity by increasing sales to European countries, particularly Spain, where 22,000 tons of potatoes were delivered. However, a year later, supplies to European markets significantly decreased and are now practically non-existent.
In terms of African countries, Morocco exports potatoes to Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Senegal, with about half of these supplies going to Mali.
In February 2023, the Moroccan government imposed a temporary halt on the export of potatoes, onions, and tomatoes to African countries as part of their efforts to combat domestic price hikes for these products.