Morocco broke a new record by exporting 13.8 thousand tons of melons to Spain in the first nine months of 2023, generating 10 Mln dollars in export revenue, reported East Fruit on Saturday.
For years, the Moroccan annual supply volumes have been oscillating between 4 to 8 thousand tons, except in 2018, when more than 12 thousand tons of melons entered the Spanish markets. Spain experienced a drought in 2017-2018, resulting in a water deficit and a low yield of local produce, and causing the country to increase its imports.
Morocco became the primary provider of Spain’s melons as the season in Senegal has already finished and Brazil’s has not yet begun.
Approximately 8,000 tons of Moroccan melons were shipped to Spain in July alone, accounting for more than half of the total tonnage provided in 2023 (January through September).
Morocco’s delivery of melons to Spain rose from a usual 6-8% to 18% this year, surpassing Netherlands’.
Moroccan melon growers regularly sell to international markets, ranking them 12th worldwide.
With the biggest Moroccan melon shipment sent to France, the fruit will hit the shelves of 40 nations by 2023.