The Cherry Market in Morocco: Stability in Production and Decline in Exports
In 2024, the area harvested for cherries in Morocco witnessed a slight increase, indicating an expansion in its cultivation and growing interest from farmers and investors. Despite this rise, the current area has not surpassed the peak reached in 2022, reflecting a kind of stability in the sector after phases of growth.
Conversely, Moroccan cherry exports have recorded a decline this year, marking the second consecutive year of decrease after previously achieving notable growth. The majority of these exports have been directed towards the Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, alongside Mauritania, which has emerged as one of the key destinations for Moroccan cherries.
In terms of financial returns, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates topped the list of markets importing Moroccan cherries by value, while Mauritania stood out as the fastest-growing market in terms of import value, reflecting an improvement in demand and the quality of Moroccan exports to this African nation.
On the other hand, Morocco’s cherry imports continued their downward trend in 2024, influenced by a reduction in purchase volumes after a period of increase. This decline continues the trend observed over the past three years, which may signal a shift in local consumption behavior or an increasing reliance on domestic production.
Collectively, these indicators reflect a state of relative balance in the Moroccan cherry market, with promising growth opportunities if the sector’s competitiveness is enhanced and new markets capable of accommodating the increasing production are opened.
