Morocco’s avocado harvest is projected to surpass 90,000 tons this season, with exports anticipated to exceed 80,000 tons, according to a Fresh Plaza article published on Tuesday.
Morocco’s avocado production farms have started hiring seasonal workers, which are currently focusing on three smooth varieties: Fuerte, Bacon, and Zitano. Plans are also underway to introduce the rough Hass variety in future harvests.
The harvest season kicked off at the end of September and is expected to continue until the end of December. Professionals in the avocado sector have applauded this inaugural season for its quality and yield.
They noted that “the avocado harvest not only provides direct employment but also creates indirect job opportunities, significantly benefiting day laborers in the region between Moulay Bousselham and Laarache.”
Despite the promising expectations for Moroccan avocado production, avocado growth is aggravating Morocco’s water issue due to its high water consumption, with each avocado requiring nearly 70 liters.
In a country that has already experienced terrible drought conditions over the last decade, with dams running dangerously low, the rise of avocado farming is compounding the problem.
This water-intensive crop exacerbates Morocco’s already limited water supplies, raising worries about sustainability in an increasingly drier climate.