Unsurprisingly, watermelon acreage in Morocco continues to shrink, as the industry is hit by restrictions on production. If the rains that blessed the country at the start of this year fail to recur, Morocco will head into its seventh consecutive year of drought, affecting most severely the main watermelon-growing regions such as the southeast.
Lahoucine Belkadi, commercial director at Jawhara Fruits, shares his estimates of the drop in acreage: "In Zagora, which used to supply large volumes of watermelons, acreage is limited to one hectare per grower again this season. In Taroudant, too, acreage has dropped by a third. In some regions, production is nil, as in Errachidia and Tinghir, where the ban is total. Here, I am talking about regions where planting takes place at this time of year."
"In the Chichaoua region, where planting comes later, I think volumes will probably be limited as well, given the region is also experiencing water stress. That leaves only the Larache region, where production could remain normal, but the season doesn't start until July-August. This means that fewer watermelons are to be expected in March-April at the start of the season. I think that acreage will fall by an average of 30% nationwide, bearing in mind that these are personal and rough estimates" Belkadi continues.
Like several Moroccan growers, Jawhara Fruits has started growing watermelons in Mauritania, the southern neighbor. Belkadi says, "This is our third year working in Mauritania. The Mauritanian season has the advantage of early availability, while Moroccan volumes are not yet on the market. Our calendars already started two weeks ago."
However, early calendars coincide with cold temperatures in Europe, and consumers still don't have an appetite for watermelons. Belkadi says: "This season, prices are unfortunately below satisfaction. Demand is struggling to pick up in Mediterranean Europe, where watermelon consumption is associated with warm weather. We are currently exporting to the Nordic countries, where watermelons are appreciated all year round. We hope that demand will soon improve, especially in Spain."
For more information:
Lahoucine Belkadi
Jawhara Fruits
Tel: +212661152504
Email: jawharafruits.maroc@gmail.com