Morocco's banana import volume reached over 36,000 tons by the end of 2024, marking a 28.8% increase from the previous year and doubling the 2022 figures, as reported by EastFruit. This sets a new record for the period, with import costs surpassing $18 million.
Historically, Ecuador and Costa Rica were the primary sources for Morocco's banana imports. However, in recent years, there has been a shift with increased imports from Spain and Portugal, both of which are major EU producers of the same banana varieties found in Morocco.
The local banana season in Morocco spans from October to June, with import peaks occurring between July and October due to limited local supply. According to FAOSTAT, Morocco's banana production in 2023 was 309,000 tons, reflecting a 7.5% decrease from 2022. This decline was mainly attributed to reduced cultivation areas, necessitating increased imports from Spain and Portugal to fill the gap.
While Morocco does export bananas, volumes have been on a downward trend, with only 250 tons exported in 2024 compared to 280 tons in 2023 and 460 tons in 2022.
Source: EastFruit