Following significant cost increases, some Egyptian strawberry growers have announced that their prices for fresh strawberries will double this season compared to the previous one. Moroccan exporters, who have long lagged behind Egypt in the strawberry sector, view this development as good news.
Ahmed Bouljid, a Larache-based exporter of fresh produce, says: "Egypt has long been exporting its strawberries at excessively low prices. This fierce competition has always influenced planting decisions in Morocco, but now we can only be relieved that Egypt is finally bringing its prices into line with the competition, as happened with late varieties of mandarins."
"This competition from Egypt in the strawberry sector, coupled with the difficult weather conditions lately, has prompted several Moroccan growers to withdraw from the sector and turn to blueberries or avocados. The acreage in Morocco has shrunk a lot, and growers have decided this season to plant strawberries later than usual," Bouljid continues.
The first Moroccan harvests of fresh strawberries are now arriving on the market, and obtaining good prices according to Bouljid. "However, it's still too early to say how Moroccan strawberry prices will be this season. We'll have to wait for the arrival of consistent volumes to judge how the markets react to Egypt's price increase," the exporter adds.
"It's not just the competition's prices that enter into the equation. This season, Moroccan strawberries are of much better quality thanks to late planting, which coincided with better weather conditions, and this will play a decisive part in setting their prices".
This season, it's too late for Moroccan producers to seize the opportunity of the new competitive configuration in terms of volumes, according to Bouljid. He explains, "The first planting cycle is long and it's too late to add acreage. The second cycle is more for frozen strawberries. If we're going to seize the opportunity it will be rather in commercial terms."
"We'll see how the season unfolds. If there's any talk of renewed interest in strawberries in Morocco it'll be next season. In any case, it's a relief to know that we'll have a fairer competition."
For more information:
Ahmed Bouljid
Entrepôt Frigorifique Lexus
Tel: +212 661-177735
Email: [email protected]