Since the 1980s, Morocco's horticulture value chain has expanded, impacting employment and trade balance. The sector has generated jobs in agricultural production and support services like logistics and processing.
Challenges such as climate change, quality norms, and external competition have increased the demand for innovation and technology to boost productivity and competitiveness.
This analysis explores recent sector developments, focusing on greenhouse technologies, plant health, environmental challenges, and strategic partnerships, particularly with the Netherlands.
Greenhouse cultivation in Morocco includes tomatoes, green beans, melon, zucchini, pepper, eggplant, cucumber, and banana for the local market. Tomatoes dominate in area and production/export volume. Over 85% of exported tomatoes, approximately 700,000 tons in 2022, are from the Souss-Massa region.
Fruit and vegetable exports from Morocco have risen by 64% since 2018, with export value increasing from $729 million in 2016 to over $1.5 billion in 2021. The majority of these exports target the European market. Despite the competition, Morocco became the EU's second-largest tomato supplier in 2023, following the Netherlands (Eurostat, 2023). France accounted for about half of these exports, with the Netherlands and Spain importing 9% and 6%, respectively. The UK absorbed around 18% of exports in 2023.
The 2012 free trade agreement facilitated Morocco's EU market access with a zero-duty quota of 285,000 tons of tomatoes between October 1 and May 31. Post-Brexit, the UK granted an additional quota of 47,510 tons. A reduced import duty applies during other months.
To sustain its exporter status, Morocco focuses on quality enhancement and cost advantages while diversifying export destinations to Eastern Europe, North America, and GCC markets. European regulations on plant health and quality are shaping export dynamics.
Source: MLVVN