It seems to be smooth sailing for this year's Moroccan date season, with an early harvest and favorable conditions, Oussama El Mir, Deputy General Manager of Moroccan date exporter Medjool Star: "Date production is progressing smoothly this season. We began the harvest ten days earlier compared to last year, primarily due to the higher temperatures experienced in June and July. We anticipate producing around 2,000 tons of Moroccan Mejhoul dates this year. Our commitment to high-quality agricultural practices has ensured a robust and healthy crop, positioning Medjool Star to meet both local and international demand with confidence."
The weather has played a significant role this season, El Mir explains. "The summer temperatures have been ideal, and the exceptional early September rains in the Errachidia region of Morocco have helped the fruit mature more quickly. Thanks to our advanced fruit processing technologies, we can precisely control the moisture levels of our dates, ensuring optimal quality throughout the production process."
According to El Mir, demand has increased compared to last year, also due to the current geopolitical situation: "Demand for Moroccan Mejhoul dates remains robust, partly driven by the current global geopolitical context, which is pushing clients to seek alternative origins. Morocco presents itself as an ideal option, due to its logistical proximity, stable and appealing business environment and uncontested origin. The country also has a strong reputation for high-quality fruits and vegetables. Our discussions with export clients are nearing completion, and the feedback has been positive. We expect to export approximately 80% of this year's harvest, in line with our strategy of focusing on high-value international markets while maintaining a solid domestic presence."
Next to maintaining its position in established markets, El Mir emphasizes they'd also like to increase their market share in the North American market. "Our focus this season is threefold. First, we aim to strengthen our already solid presence in the European market, where there is high appreciation for Medjool Star's premium Moroccan dates. Next, we are putting significant emphasis on the North American market, particularly in Canada and the United States. Our goal is to establish Medjool Star and our new brand, "It's a Date," as leaders in premium Mejhoul dates. Finally, we're exploring emerging opportunities in the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. These markets have shown increasing interest, and we are ready to explore potential partnerships and growth depending on demand and market dynamics."
With new investments in terms of machinery, the exporter is positive about the outlook of the current date season: "Medjool Star has made several strategic investments to further enhance both production and quality control. We have expanded our post-harvest technology to improve drying and sorting processes and increase our capacity in that regard, ensuring the highest standards of product consistency. Additionally, we have invested in complementary state-of-the-art packaging machinery, to increase our throughput and efficiency for smaller packaging sizes, which remain a priority for Medjool Star. These enhancements are designed to maintain the quality of our Moroccan Mejhoul dates, while positioning us for sustainable growth in both existing and emerging markets," El Mir concludes.
For more information:
Oussama El Mir
Medjool Star
Tel: +212 655 26 76 32
Email: [email protected]
www.medjoolstar.com