At the end of a difficult season, marked by volume shortfalls and widespread quality flaws, Moroccan watermelon growers seem to bounce back. Ahmed Bouljid, an exporter of general fresh produce, says: "The end of the watermelon season is looking excellent. Growers are lucky to have finally escaped viruses and are being saved by strong local demand."
The exporter continues, "The Gharb and Loukkos regions (located on the country's Atlantic coast) have been spared the problems that have impacted the watermelon season elsewhere, and fruit is coming back on the market with decent volumes. Volumes are even higher than last year (in these specific regions), and so far we've seen no viruses or pest damage. Sizes are also very good, reaching 17 kg. This is an exceptional situation in the country, as all other regions have suffered quantity and quality deficits."
On the commercial front, exports are at a standstill, but the local Moroccan market is more attractive. Bouljid explains: "Watermelons from the Gharb-Loukkos axis are arriving after a long shortage of watermelons on the local market, and domestic demand is so strong that the local market's prices are higher than export prices. Farm-gate prices are currently at 4-4.5 MAD/kg, which is very satisfactory".
The exporter does not rule out a resurgence in European demand later this summer. He concludes, "The European market has enough watermelons coming in from Greece, Turkey, and elsewhere. When this supply is exhausted, we'll still have watermelons to harvest in August. We hopefully expect a new round of exports encouraged by the summer warmth."
For more information:
Ahmed Bouljid
Entrepôt Frigorifique Lexus
Tel: +212 661-177735
Email: [email protected]