Morocco ranks 4th worldwide in the export of berries

Mohamed Amouri, President of the Moroccan Interprofessional Federation of Red Berries Interproberries

Khadija Taouil

12 de septiembre de 2025 (15:16 h.)

Morocco: a strategic player in the production and export of berries

Jorge Esquivel, director of Blueberries Consulting, stated that Morocco is a country that has consolidated the berry sector over the last decade to become a strategic player in the production and export of berries, particularly blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.

‘Thanks to its unique climatic conditions, its privileged geopolitical position and the innovative capacity of its producers, it is able to serve the main international markets in an agile and competitive manner,’ emphasised Esquivel, highlighting the sustained growth of the local industry as an opportunity to reflect on sustainable water management, the incorporation of new production technologies, the strengthening of scientific research and adaptation to the demands of increasingly conscious and demanding consumers.

In this context, the global market for blueberries and red fruits offers encouraging prospects, as consumption continues to expand, driven by demand for healthy, quality food, which opens up a horizon of opportunities for producing countries such as Morocco and for all of us who work in this value chain, according to Jorge Esquivel.

The director of Blueberries Consulting urged participants to take advantage of this international meeting to learn, share and strengthen ties that will continue to strengthen the international community of producers, exporters, scientists and professionals in the field of berry production and export.

The leading experts, researchers, companies and organisations participating in the seminar expressed their deep conviction that the fruits of this exchange will be as valuable as those harvested on their farms, building new alliances, applying more innovation and developing an increasingly sustainable and competitive industry.

Amine Bennani presidente de la Asociación de Productores Marroquíes de Frutos Rojos

Moroccan produce on the international market

For his part, Amine Bennani, president of the Association of Moroccan Berry Producers, stated that Moroccan produce is safe, good and of high quality, with an export chain that begins in November and continues until June.

In the period 2024-2025, Moroccan exports reached 121,000 tonnes, representing a 5% increase over the same period last year.

According to data presented by Bennani, this growth is due to blueberries, whose production has increased eightfold in the last ten years, and raspberries, whose production has increased tenfold since 2015.

Morocco's main customers are England, Spain, Germany and France, in addition to an increasingly developing market with a growing presence of Moroccan products in the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Libya and Qatar.

"Europe remains our main customer, but we also reach other African and American countries. It should be noted that the Netherlands and Spain are re-export destinations, not consumption destinations. These are products that are shipped and then re-exported to other destinations," Bennani explained.

In the case of raspberries, America is the main consumer of Moroccan products, accounting for almost 4,000 tonnes between the United States and Canada, which was non-existent a year or two ago. This reflects the success of the quality and good marketing of Moroccan products abroad.

Alberto Alejandro Rodríguez Aspillaga Embajador de Chile en Marruecos

Enormous dynamism in a growing sector

After overtaking Spain, positioning itself behind Peru and ahead of the United States, the red fruit sector in Morocco has experienced considerable growth since its launch in 2015.

According to the first panel of the 38th International Blueberry Seminar, which made an assessment of the Moroccan market, this growth has been favoured by geographical proximity to Europe, favourable climatic conditions, the availability of water resources, skilled labour, mastery of production, packaging and processing techniques, and the relocation of production by companies to the north and government incentives to encourage investors in the south of the country.

In socio-economic terms, the red fruit sector generates an estimated turnover of more than $500 million. In the 2024-2025 season, red fruits occupy an area of almost 14,000 hectares, of which almost half is occupied by acerola, i.e. an area equivalent to 7,000 hectares, which continues to increase year on year. During the same period, the Kingdom exported more than 220,000 tonnes, ranking fourth worldwide.

In this sense, the event reflects the enormous dynamism and projection of a sector that has become an economic and social driver, not only in Morocco but in many regions of the world.

Jorge Esquivel Director de Blueberries Consulting

The seven challenges facing the sector in Morocco

The president of the Association of Moroccan Berry Producers listed the challenges facing the Kingdom of Morocco in the development of the sector, explaining the seven most important challenges for berry producers operating in the North African country:

The climate challenge (temperatures of 51 degrees, winds of over 100 km per hour, storms, etc.) requires compliance with all regulations aimed at minimising the industry's impact on the environment and limiting CO2 emissions.
Water stress, given that berry plants are the crops that make the best use of each cubic metre of water.
Human resources are a major problem, with a lack of motivation and training. The local workforce is no longer sufficient, forcing producers to bring in people from other parts of Morocco or neighbouring African countries. In addition, young people need to be encouraged to work part-time.
The health risk associated with importing plants for berry cultivation increases the demand for local production, pushing producers to develop and improve their techniques to ensure healthy and safe plants in their production. With an increasingly restricted list of pharmaceutical products to treat insect pests, European standards leave producers in an unfavourable situation. Producers must be more vigilant and take preventive measures to avoid this type of problem.
Inflation is a major problem because it is not bidirectional. There is inflation in inputs, but at the point of sale there is price stagnation, if not a decline. Diesel is rising, as are fertiliser prices; in addition, pharmaceutical products have seen increases of between 20% and 30% in recent years.
The challenge of rent, which has increased fivefold in less than ten years, especially in northern Morocco.
The very delicate issue of transport, especially for raspberries.

Taking into account the European Union's environmental criteria and despite these challenges, Morocco already has its national leaders in the production and export of red fruits, who have become major international operators in the field of red fruits.

XXXVIII Seminario Internacional Arándanos Marruecos 2025

Vision and expectations for improving Made in Morocco

Mohamed Amouri, president of the Moroccan Interprofessional Federation of Red Fruits Interproberries, emphasised the importance of promoting Moroccan expertise in the sector, urging its export, "because today Moroccan know-how is known and recognised internationally.

‘It should be noted that in 2015 there were only a few hectares of land dedicated to the production of red fruits, yielding a maximum of 12 tonnes per hectare. Today, there are technicians who manage to exceed 30 tonnes per hectare. We now have more than 5,000 hectares of crops,’ added Amouri.

Given Morocco's expertise in terms of water saving and innovation, Amouri called for the varieties he had developed, which are internationally recognised, to be given a Moroccan name.

Moving from 5,000 hectares in 2015 to 14,000 hectares in 2025, with a future vision of reaching 17,000 hectares, Amine Bennani shed light on Morocco's expectations in the field of soft fruits to further improve its position internationally:

The opening of the Chinese market this year, which will allow for diversification of the customer base and position Morocco in another market that will become increasingly important, particularly in America.
Avoiding climatic incidents that affect berry production, including water stress and extreme temperatures (both cold and heat), which prevent plant growth.
Ensuring regularity in production, on the one hand, through adequate and constant irrigation, the implementation of cultivation techniques that improve exposure to sunlight and the efficiency of photosynthesis. On the other hand, respecting production volume in order to ensure regularity in prices as well.
Achieving a fair price for the product; when comparing what countries earn and what producers receive in full activity, there is a big difference.
Developing Moroccan research ecosystems to establish Moroccan cultural techniques.

Multilateralism is the key

Chilean Ambassador Alberto Alejandro Rodríguez Aspillaga recalled that the world is going through complex times, with trade wars and often unilateral decisions that affect our emerging economies in different ways.

‘My country is committed to defending and strengthening multilateralism so that our markets can be governed by clear, predictable rules that are known to all,’ said Rodríguez, clarifying that multilateralism and international law represent the best response to the complexity of our times.

Both Chile and Morocco enjoy a very important emerging market for red fruits, with a diversified export offer and a wide network of trade agreements. In this regard, both countries are invited to take initiatives to advance a fruitful strategic partnership in this promising sector for both parties.

Rodríguez reported that Chile's trade exchange this year has increased by 8.3% compared to the same period last year, an increase sustained by the dynamism of its exports, including fruit exports, which broke a record of more than $5.614 billion at the end of the first half of the year.

The growth is due to the momentum led by the strong performance of cherries and blueberries; market development and research into the red fruit industry, which is the sector that generates the most foreign exchange in fruit and vegetable production, more than tomatoes and citrus fruits.