Morocco Exports Over 100,000 Tons of Avocados for the First Time
For the first time, the country crossed the 100,000-ton mark in avocado exports, according to agricultural market platform EastFruit, an unprecedented milestone that signals Morocco's growing influence in a market once dominated by Latin America.
This achievement comes amid a complex season. Global avocado prices have dropped due to an oversupply from producers in countries like Peru and Mexico.
Still, Moroccan growers managed to outperform expectations, helped by a combination of stable weather, high-quality harvests, and increasingly competitive logistics.
In Europe, Morocco's biggest export market, markets grew more crowded and prices more volatile.
But Morocco fared well. Rather than chasing quantity, producers focused on consistency and quality, two aspects that set their produce apart in a market environment characterized by high pressure and competition.
Morocco's growing visibility on the international trade scene is a symptom of broader changes in the global avocado business. With more and more suppliers flooding the market, shoppers no longer place top priority on prices. Shelf life, appearance, and on-time delivery carry as much weight as price.
Demand remains strong, especially in Europe and North America, but the rules of the game have shifted. Morocco appears to understand this shift.
Read also: Morocco Is World's 9th Largest Avocado Exporter Amid Water Scarcity
It is no longer a secondary seasonal provider. It is now a regular player, one that can ride out fluctuating times while earning the confidence of international consumers.
On a larger scale, this year's export milestone is more than a number. It is the indication of Morocco's entrance into a new era of its agricultural policy, one that is less reactive, more calculated, and more international.
But such success comes at a price. Morocco's rise to global leadership in the avocado market is paid for with growing environmental expenses.
Growing avocados is a water-intensive business that weighs heavily on a country already beset with regular droughts and worsening water shortages. With producers increasingly opening up more plantation land to meet overseas demand, concern grows about the sustainability of such development over the long term.
The tensions between economic opportunity and environmental responsibility remain to be addressed, especially in regions where water shortage is already the reality. The challenge for Morocco now is how to reconcile export drive and its actual need to save its natural resources. Tags: avocadoavocado exportMorocco avocadoMorocco economyMorocco exports
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
6 hours ago
- Morocco World
Raja Casablanca Lift Transfer Ban After Multi-Million Settlement
Raja Casablanca have lifted their transfer ban after paying more than 31 million dirhams to settle 36 domestic and international disputes. The Moroccan club confirmed the cases involved FIFA rulings, local complaints, warnings and contract terminations. Officials described the settlement as a decisive moment in restructuring the club ahead of the 2025/26 season. In a statement, Raja said the breakthrough was achieved 'thanks to coordinated mobilisation and the structural support provided by the institutional investor Ports4Impact,' calling it 'a decisive step in its reform path and a launchpad for the new season.' The club added: '31 million dirhams were allocated to settle 36 cases, including disputes with FIFA and local bodies, as well as warnings and contract termination protocols. This now allows the club to fully focus on its sporting objectives and rebuild its football project on solid foundations.' Raja also sent a message to supporters: 'Today the club opens a new era based on discipline, transparency and strong organisation, with a clear vision for a more stable future. The unified goal of all components is to return the team to its natural place at the top.' Club president Jawad Ziyat reinforced that message saying: 'We have closed a difficult chapter, but the important part begins now. Together with our fans, our players and all the living forces of the club, we will return Raja to its natural place: at the top.' The board has confirmed Tunisian coach Lassaad Chabbi will remain in charge for the new season, with plans to appoint a sporting director to work alongside him on a long-term strategy. Raja have also parted ways with Marouane Zila, Mauritanian midfielder Mouhsine Bodda and Tunisian defender Hani Amamou, describing the move as a way to avoid future disputes and balance the squad. In addition, four academy players have been promoted to the senior team, while five others will go on loan to gain experience. Preparations for the new campaign continue under Chabbi's supervision.
Morocco World
7 hours ago
- Morocco World
Refusal Rate at 20% as Moroccans Received 606,000 Schengen Visas in 2024
Marrakech – Morocco received more than 606,000 Schengen visas from European Union countries in 2024, with a refusal rate of approximately 20%, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita. France alone issued about 284,000 visas to Moroccan citizens, representing nearly 46% of the total visas granted and marking a 17% increase compared to the previous year. 'The countries of the European Union issued more than 606,000 visas to Moroccans last year, while the refusal rate did not exceed 20% of submitted applications, which is an average rate compared to other countries,' Bourita stated in a written response to a parliamentary question. The top Moroccan diplomat noted that relations with Europe have shown notable improvement, as evidenced by the visa issuance figures. This improvement reflects 'a shared political will between both parties to overcome the problems and tensions that marked their relations in this field during the previous period,' Bourita explained. Morocco now ranks fourth globally for Schengen visa applications in 2024, following China, India, and Turkey, according to data released by SchengenVisaInfo in May. Moroccans have surpassed Russians, who were once the largest group of Schengen visa applicants. With 282,153 applications submitted to France in 2024, Moroccans constitute the second-largest group of applicants for French visas, after Algerians. France remains the top destination for Schengen visa seekers worldwide, receiving over a quarter of all applications. Visa policy is a sovereign decision Bourita said that visa policies represent a sovereign right of each state. 'Morocco's choice to impose or exempt entry visas to its territory remains a sovereign decision that does not respond to moods or circumstantial reactions,' he said. The minister stated that Morocco's approach is based on 'three objective considerations: reciprocity, political and economic imperatives, as well as the context of bilateral relations with each country.' 'Moroccan practice in this area is based on a comprehensive strategy that takes into account the balance of interests, distinguishing between countries based on the nature of cooperation, shared history, and signed agreements,' Bourita added. He also remarked that 'the adoption of modern electronic visa systems reflects this same approach aimed at strengthening the Kingdom's openness through digitizing its services, without giving up national sovereignty.' According to the minister, the Moroccan passport has shown continuous improvement in international rankings, now figuring among the 70 most powerful passports worldwide. Indeed, Morocco's passport has climbed to 67th place globally in the latest Henley Passport Index, marking its best performance in a decade. The new ranking represents a four-position jump from last year's 71st place, allowing Moroccan citizens visa-free access to 73 destinations worldwide. This achievement is Morocco's strongest showing since 2006, when the passport ranked 66th globally. Morocco now ranks first among all North African countries in passport mobility. A study from SchengenVisaInfo compiled in August 2024 identified Switzerland as the Schengen country with the highest approval rate for Moroccan applicants at 83.9%, followed by Poland (83.1%), France (81.3%), Portugal (80.05%), and Czechia (75.60%). Visa system dysfunctions must be corrected Bourita also addressed the issue of visa application processing, stating that his ministry 'firmly calls on foreign embassies and consulates in Morocco to process visa applications within reasonable timeframes, with constant respect for Moroccan citizens and their dignity, particularly for urgent humanitarian requests such as those related to medical care or studies.' He mentioned that during bilateral meetings with representatives of diplomatic missions and consular centers accredited in Morocco, the ministry 'consistently raises the issue of visa systems, their dysfunctions, and urges corrections to avoid exploitation by some illegal intermediaries or brokers.' Data shows that 11,716,723 Schengen visa applications were submitted to EU countries in 2024, representing a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year. Despite this growth, numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels of nearly 17 million in 2019. Overall, the Schengen visa rejection rate decreased to 14.8% in 2024, down from 16% in 2023 and the all-time high of 17.9% in 2022. Despite the positive trends, challenges remain, including the black market for visa appointments, which has seen intermediaries exploiting online systems and reselling appointments for up to MAD 10,000 (approximately $1000). Read also: Bourita: Morocco's Visa Policy Based on Reciprocity, National Interest
Morocco World
9 hours ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Consumer Prices Slip 0.1% in July as Food Costs Ease
Rabat – Consumer prices in Morocco edged down in July 2025, offering households a modest reprieve at a time when many continue to juggle rising costs in essential goods. Official figures posted by the High Commission for Planning (HCP) show a 0.1% decline in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) compared to June, largely due to cheaper food items. Food prices dropped by 0.5%, driven mainly by a sharp fall in vegetable costs of 4.7%. Fruits also slipped by 0.9%, while oils, cereals, and meat recorded smaller decreases. Families, however, paid more for dairy products, with milk, cheese, and eggs climbing 2.7%. Hot drinks such as coffee, tea, and cocoa rose by 0.6%, while fish and seafood inched up 0.4%. Non-food products moved in the opposite direction, rising by 0.2%. Fuel in particular weighed heavily on household budgets, jumping 3.5%. The price shifts were not felt equally across the country. Meknes registered the sharpest fall in consumer prices at –0.7%, followed by Guelmim (–0.6%) and Laâyoune and Settat (–0.5%). Smaller drops were seen in Oujda, Marrakech, Rabat, Safi, and Beni Mellal. On the other hand, households in Errachidia faced an increase of 0.8%, with Al Hoceima and Tetouan also recording higher prices. Looking back over a year, consumer prices stood 0.5% higher than in July 2024. Food products rose by 0.9% year-on-year, while non-food goods increased by 0.2%. Within non-food items, transport costs fell by 2.9%, but restaurants and hotels rose by 3.4%, reflecting the pressure of services on household spending. Core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as fresh produce and state-regulated tariffs, slipped by 0.1% month-on-month but remained 0.9% higher than last year. The figures show a mixed picture. Moroccan households are paying less for fresh produce but continue to face higher bills for fuel, dairy, and luxury services. Tags: CPIeconomyfood pricesHCPinflationMorocco
