Spain’s production decline boosts demand for Moroccan pomegranates in Europe
Morocco has strengthened its presence in the European pomegranate market this season, benefiting from a decrease in Spanish production. This shift has contributed to an increase in demand for Moroccan pomegranates, particularly for the second category, according to a report from the Fresh Plaza platform, which specializes in tracking global agricultural markets.
The report highlights that this development comes at a time when pomegranate producers in the Elche region of Spain are facing increasing difficulties due to climatic fluctuations and pest infestations. This scenario has provided Morocco with an opportunity to expand its market share in Europe and meet the growing demand.
The platform noted that the “Mollar de Elche” pomegranate campaign in Spain, which is expected to conclude in mid-January, is in its final stages, following an increase in the quantities of the second category during the current season. This surge is attributed to summer heatwaves and delayed rains, in addition to the effects of pests.
In this context, Susi Bonet from the sales department of the Spanish cooperative Campayas confirmed that approximately 50 percent of this season’s production shows signs of skin blemishes or is undersized, indicating that competition within the European market has intensified due to the abundance of Moroccan production.
Bonet remarked in statements to Fresh Plaza that Moroccan pomegranates have injected a new dynamism into the European market, motivating Spanish producers to enhance their product quality and adopt more competitive marketing strategies.
She noted that the variety and abundance of Moroccan production enabled the fulfilment of European demand during the shopping period leading up to Christmas, contributing to stable supply levels and providing broader options for European consumers.
Furthermore, she explained that competition from Morocco has prompted Spanish producers to focus on early varieties like “Aco” and “Tastim” while working to improve fruit quality to meet European market requirements. This reflects Morocco’s positive impact on the development of production standards.
The report concluded that agriculture in the Elche region faces increasing challenges, primarily pests and a shortage of irrigation water, while Morocco benefits from favorable climatic conditions and abundant production, allowing it to bolster its exports and solidify its position in the European pomegranate market.
