Moroccan fruit and vegetable exports to the European Union, especially of tomatoes, berries, and citrus fruits, have increased by 5% exceeding 1.5 million tons per year. This increase has been maintained during the last three years and is very important to the Moroccan economy as the value of these exports stands at approximately 2.5 million euros per year.
The main European destinations for these agricultural products are France, Germany, and the Netherlands, followed by Spain and Italy. The Moroccan agricultural sector has not only experienced growth in exports but has also had a significant impact on the country's economy, contributing 12% to GDP and employing more than 35% of the workforce. It is also vital for employment in rural areas.
In 2022, agricultural exports accounted for more than 25% of Morocco's total exports, positively impacting the country's trade balance. Morocco has devoted more than 120,000 hectares to growing tomatoes, berries, and citrus fruits, focusing on exports to the EU.
Trade agreements between Morocco and the European Union have been key to this growth, allowing the export of agricultural products at reduced or no tariffs. Morocco has worked hard to align its production standards with EU requirements in terms of quality, phytosanitary, food safety, and sustainability. This has been reflected in obtaining international certifications such as Global GAP and water use sustainability certifications, including the recent AWS (Alliance for Water Stewardship) certification, which guarantees the responsible use of water resources.
Source: diariodesevilla.es