A heatwave has struck avocado crops in Morocco, threatening next season’s supply
The Dutch newspaper “Fresh Plaza,” which specializes in global agricultural affairs, reported that the severe heatwave that hit Morocco at the end of June has caused substantial losses for avocado farmers, raising concerns about its impact on the availability of the product for the upcoming season, both in the local market and for export to international markets.
According to the paper, these climatic conditions may also lead to delays in the harvest season compared to its usual schedule.
For its part, the Moroccan Avocado Farmers Association previously stated that the three-day heatwave resulted in the loss of nearly half of the expected harvest, roughly amounting to 80,000 tons.
The association expressed some reassurance, clarifying that the remaining healthy quantities are still relatively high, although climatic challenges are likely to persist in the coming weeks.
Several professionals have suggested that the impacts will vary depending on regions and farmers, as many new farms have entered the production phase following the expansion of cultivated areas in recent years.
According to the same sources, the potential national losses may not exceed one-third, which would keep the total harvest close to last season’s levels.
Despite this, the association is concerned that these developments could lead some farmers to delay the peak harvest in hopes of achieving higher prices in foreign markets, which could affect the availability of the product in the national market.
Conversely, the same source believes that the diversity of avocado farmers in Morocco, ranging from large to small producers, will help ensure a stable supply of the fruit throughout the season and avoid any significant disruptions.
Regarding prices, the association noted that a decrease in quantities may naturally lead to an increase, but without reaching exaggerated levels. The global market is subject to supply and demand dynamics, and Morocco faces competition at specific times with other countries, making prices high at the beginning of the season, although this does not necessarily reflect market trends over the entire season.
