The Berkane region's clementine season is about to get underway. Calendars for the region's flagship variety, "Clémentine Berkane", will start in two weeks, while the early variety Bruno is already being exported.
Berkane, in eastern Morocco, is one of the country's most important citrus-growing regions. However, in recent seasons, water stress has taken its toll on growers, curbing their potential. Mohammed Saidi, CEO of Vergers Domaine Tarifit, explains: "It's always the same problem. Water, water, water. All of Morocco suffers from this issue. Even though it rained recently all over the country, in Berkane we didn't get any rain."
As a result, in the previous season, growers had to live with lower volumes, smaller sizes, quality concerns, and an earlier-than-usual campaign end.
As for next season, Saidi says, "we've had to concentrate on the most promising plots in terms of quality and eliminate the rest. We can't handle all our acreage under these conditions. So we're expecting the same volume as last season or half a normal season, but with a quality that's good for export and meets the standards of the destination markets."
In terms of size, the impact of the drought is also evident. Saidi says, "We'll have a concentration of calibers 3, 4, and 5 and much less of 1 and 2."
Despite these problems on the production front, marketing will be less complicated, according to Saidi: "We can count on our existing markets in the European Union and Russia. The sizes are indeed smaller, but they nevertheless correspond to consumer preferences. In these markets, our clementines are well known and awaited."
For more information:
Mohammed Saidi
Vergers Domaine Tarifit & Packing House Eurober
Tel: +212 661772581