Morocco Strengthens Its Global Position in Tomato Production, Surpassing Spain in Yield
Morocco has solidified its position among the leading tomato producers worldwide, ranking 14th globally in production volume for 2024, according to the latest data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Notably, the country recorded impressive results in terms of yield compared to several traditional agricultural powers, including Spain.
Based on statistical data from Faostat, global tomato production in 2024 reached approximately 188.49 billion kilograms, cultivated over an area of about 5.12 million hectares, yielding an average of 3.68 kilograms per square meter.
In this context, Morocco produced nearly 1.686 billion kilograms of tomatoes on an area estimated at 16,374 hectares, achieving a yield of 10.30 kilograms per square meter. This figure significantly exceeds the global average and surpasses yields from several major producers in the international market.
Although Spain ranked higher in total production volume, with a total of 4.57 billion kilograms in 2024, its yield did not exceed 8.24 kilograms per square meter, which is around 20 percent lower than the yield recorded in Morocco.
This disparity highlights the efficiency of the Moroccan agricultural system in achieving higher productivity per unit area, thanks to developments in adopted technologies, particularly in protected agriculture, and improved management of production factors, ranging from water resource management to employing modern methods in production and marketing chains.
China leads the global rankings for tomato production, exceeding 61.6 billion kilograms, which accounts for approximately 32.69 percent of global production, followed by India, Turkey, the United States, and Egypt. Meanwhile, Morocco falls into the category of medium-sized producers; however, its yield provides it with a competitive edge in international markets.
A comparison with countries like the Netherlands, which records the highest yield globally at around 47.89 kilograms per square meter, reveals the crucial role of production models. The Dutch model relies almost entirely on high-tech greenhouses, whereas Morocco combines protected and open-air agriculture, making the achieved performance a positive indicator of sectoral growth.
This performance comes amid increasing European demand for Moroccan tomatoes, driven by competitive pricing, stable supply, and geographical proximity, further strengthening Morocco’s role as a key player in agricultural supply chains and providing it with a relative advantage over several European producers.
These indicators affirm that Morocco’s agricultural challenge is no longer limited to increasing production volume; rather, it increasingly focuses on enhancing yield and product quality, thereby boosting competitiveness and consolidating its presence in international markets, all within a context marked by climate change challenges and water resource scarcity.
