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Morocco Records Significant Improvement in Citrus Production, Reinforcing Export Leadership for the 2025/2026 Season
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The citrus sector in Morocco recorded a notable improvement in production during the 2025/2026 agricultural season compared to the previous season. This growth is attributed to favorable climatic conditions during the growing period and the maturation of trees into more productive cycles, positively impacting both the quantity and quality of the harvest, according to data from the “Fresh Plaza” platform and the Moroccan Foreign Exchange Office.
The data indicates that production has not yet reached the peak levels recorded during the 2018/2019 season, but it has exceeded the average production levels of the past five years, reflecting a gradual recovery trend in one of the kingdom’s most prominent export agricultural sectors.
Morocco’s production of tangerines and mandarins is estimated at approximately 1.15 million metric tons, an increase of 4% compared to the previous season, while orange production is expected to reach around 970,000 metric tons, up 1%, alongside production of 48,000 metric tons of lemons and limes. This improvement is primarily due to favorable weather conditions and late rainfall that has enhanced the size of the fruits, particularly those required for export.
Domestically, local demand for tangerines and mandarins is expected to be around 600,000 metric tons, representing a nearly 7% increase from the previous season. This growth is fueled by improved production and stable prices, contributing to a relative balance between supply and demand.
In terms of exports, the tangerine and mandarin export season started about two weeks late due to delayed fruit ripening, but this did not significantly impact overall performance. Approximately 550,000 metric tons are expected to be exported, an increase of 2% compared to the 2024/2025 season. The European Union and Russia remain the primary markets for citrus exports, alongside the United States and Canada, with notable growth recorded in sub-Saharan Africa countries like Senegal, Mauritania, and Ivory Coast, indicating a gradual market diversification.
Orange exports are expected to stabilize at 85,000 metric tons, while lemon and lime exports are projected to reach about 10,000 metric tons, showing relative stability in these varieties compared to tangerines and mandarins.
Despite these positive results, producers face international competition, particularly from Chilean varieties entering the global market at the beginning of the Moroccan export season between November and December, putting pressure on prices and market shares.
Some producers, especially in southern Morocco, have turned to use saline-resistant rootstock and more water-efficient varieties, such as “Macrofila” and “Volcamiriana,” to adapt to water stress and enhance production sustainability.
The government continues to support the citrus sector through a package of measures, including encouraging exports and promoting investment in citrus packing facilities, as part of a strategy aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Moroccan products in international markets, according to reports from the Agricultural Development Fund.
These indicators reflect that the citrus sector in Morocco is on track to regain some of its export momentum, benefiting from improved production, market diversification, and public support, while awaiting the transformation of this performance into greater added value for farmers and the national economy.
