The citrus sector in Morocco is experiencing a complicated season. Exports should reach the 500,000 ton mark by the end of the current season. This is a 100,000 tons decrease on initial predictions which forecast 600,000 tons and a 80,000 ton decrease compared to last year.
This decrease is due to unfavourable weather conditions in November which led to a decrease in quality and led to diseases. 60% of Moroccan export is normally sent to the Russian market, which due to current problems with the rouble is importing less citrus fruit this year. The Moroccan national market is effected by the low fruit prices.
On the 16th January Morocco had exported 217,000 tons of citrus compared to 300,000 tons on the same date last year. As for export destinations, Russia remains in the lead taking in 94,000 tons, followed by the EU with 47,000 tons, the USA with 35,000 tons and Canada with 25,000 tons.