The first cycle of the Moroccan strawberry season ended on a high note, giving way to the second cycle where a significant proportion of production is destined for freezing. This is what Zouhir Daissoria, Moroccan grower and exporter based in Larache, reports.
Zouhir says: "We started the second phase of the season two weeks ago, and it will last until mid-June. Until the end of the season, there will be fewer exports of fresh strawberries and more frozen exports. Overall, the season has gone very well so far. Prices have been 20-25% higher than last season, all varieties combined, and harvest volumes have remained stable."
According to Zouhir, the improvement in prices is due to the reduction in cultivated areas. He explains: "The strawberry sector in Morocco has experienced serious production and marketing hardships in recent years, prompting many growers to convert their greenhouses to other crops. The drop in acreage is significant, of the order of 30% this season in the Larache region."
Weather conditions were also more clement this year, adds the grower: "The months of November to January were difficult, leading to fruit deformation and discoloration, but then weather conditions improved a lot compared to last season, with cool temperatures when the fruit needed it, and warm where required."
Demand has also been good, adds Zouhir. "The local market is absorbing large volumes, especially as peak production coincides with the month of Ramadan. As for exports, our traditional markets such as the UK and Spain have maintained solid demand. At Bldiofroot, we have also opened up new markets, exporting to Malaysia for the first time."
The rest of the season looks promising, according to the grower: "Prices for frozen strawberries are up 40% on the same period last year. This heralds a return of interest in strawberries on the part of growers. This is the case for us at Bldiofroot, as we plan to increase our strawberry acreage by 10% next season."
For more information:
Zouhir Daissoria
BLDIOFROOT
Tel.: +212661902434
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]