Moroccan Avocado Harvest Expected to Break Records

Despite water shortages and other climate change challenges, Morocco’s avocado harvest is projected to reach unprecedented volumes this year, at around 80,000 tonnes, a 33% increase over last season, according to Youssef Elkhlifi from Avonature.
Elkhlifi told Fresh Plaza that significant growth in production is expected across key regions such as Larache, Moulay Bousselhem, and Kenitra.
Quality is a top priority for his company Avonature, he said, noting an expected abundance of larger-sized avocados this season.
Avonature plans to participate actively in the Moroccan avocado marketing campaign, shipping 200 truckloads of avocados from Morocco, selected from only the best fruit.
Elkhlifi cautions, however, that the success of the season depends on favorable weather conditions. Last year’s storms caused significant damage, knocking the fruit off the trees before it could grow.
He assured that Avonature will maintain its focus on quality, refusing to pack fallen fruit, just as it did last season.
Elkhlifi highlighted Avonature’s commitment to enhancing avocado production in Morocco, having leveraged the company’s expertise from Spain. The company has supported local growers with technical assistance and regular visits, building a reliable network to meet market demands.
In terms of market distribution, Elkhlifi expects similar trends to last season, with Spain and the Netherlands being the primary destinations for Moroccan avocadoes.
Avonature is also exploring new markets and will be present at Fruit Attraction in Madrid to engage with potential buyers.
In addition to its export activities, Avonature imports avocados into Morocco during the off-season. This year, the company imported 15 containers from Peru and Brazil and is working on strengthening its presence in the local Moroccan market.
Despite the positive outlook for Moroccan avocado production, avocado cultivation is intensifying Morocco’s water crisis. The fruit is notorious for its high water consumption, requiring nearly 70 liters of water to grow a single avocado.
In a country already facing severe drought conditions over the past decade, with dams running dangerously low, the expansion of avocado farming is exacerbating the situation.
This water-intensive crop is worsening Morocco’s already strained water resources, raising concerns about sustainability in an increasingly arid climate.