Morocco demonstrated a robust increase in its export earnings within the fresh vegetable sector in 2023, earning nearly 1.6 billion USD, even as the physical volume of exports declined by 14% in gross tonnage. This translated to 1.06 million tons, according to East Fruit’s report on Thursday.
Vegetable export costs showed a 12% surge from the previous year, a figure nearly 50% higher than the five-year average. Despite the decrease in the tonnage, it is still higher by 5% compared to the past five years on average.
Greenhouse tomatoes remained the mainstay of Morocco’s export earnings. In 2023, their financial yield was close to 102 billion USD, accounting for about three-quarters of Morocco’s total fresh vegetable export value.
However, the sector experienced significant hurdles as a result of extreme summer temperatures, which reduced greenhouse tomato exports by 11% to 660,000 tons.
Morocco is the world’s third-largest fresh tomato exporter, behind only Mexico and the Netherlands.
Sweet peppers comprised the vegetable sector’s second-highest export income earnings. This category, particularly greenhouse vegetables, experienced significant increases in physical export volumes.
In 2023, Morocco’s sweet pepper exports increased by 4% to 174,000 tons, while its monetary value increased by 55% to 230 million USD.
Zucchini and pumpkins rounded out the top three fresh vegetable export revenue categories, despite pumpkins’ minor contribution. Surprisingly, zucchini exports remained fairly consistent year after year in terms of quantity and value. Morocco exported 47,000 tons of zucchini and pumpkins, worth 45 million USD in 2023.
Greenhouse cucumbers ranked fourth, with exports adding $23 million to the economy. Cucumbers saw the highest rise among export categories, increasing by 60% year-on-year. Cucumbers were followed by other greens and herbs (such as parsley and tarragon), which generated 14 million USD.
Carrots, onions, sweet corn, and a range of brassica species also contributed considerably to the export results.