The Moroccan avocado campaign has seen a slowdown in exports since last December. Unsatisfied with prices, many growers decided to keep the fruit on the trees. As a result, in January 2025, half of the country's avocado production was still not harvested.
Today, harvests have accelerated, but many growers have reached an impasse, having delayed harvesting too long. Abdelkrim Allaoui, president of the Gharb Aocado Growers' Association, says: "A significant number of growers, especially in the largest orchards of the region, have not yet harvested a big chunk of their volumes. The campaign has reached an advanced stage, but prices have not yet improved."
The bet is lost, and there is not much time before growers resign themselves to harvesting the fruits. Allaoui adds: "Growers have got good prices last season, but the area of mature avocado trees has increased considerably in the meantime, and supply has been abundant this season. We'll see if prices rise by the end of April. In any case, growers will be forced to harvest this month."
In the Gharb region alone, the percentage of fruits not harvested to date no less than 10%, according to the growers' representative.
Allaoui concludes, "It will take time for the international market to adapt and absorb the large additional volumes from Morocco. Growers will have to adapt, too. I think the commercial difficulties experienced this season will impact next season's decisions, including harvest dates and even the number of growers who will remain in the industry."
Avocado volumes in Morocco continue to break records from one season to the next, rising from 60 thousand tonnes in 2023/2024 to at least 100-110 thousand tonnes in 2024/2025.
For more information:
Abdelkrim Allaoui
Association of avocado growers in the Gharb
Tel: +212 672-077375
Email: karimallaoui1960@gmail.com