Morocco is in full preparation for the 2nd edition of the big Moroccan festival in Moscow which will be held from the 6th to the 20th November. Following a success in 2014, Maroc Export expects this year to be even better. The main aim is to reinforce Morocco’s position in what is a very high potential market with a population of 146 million. Russia still has not lifted their embargo on products from the EU, which since being put in place last year has been a major boost for Moroccan exporters.
The Association of fruit and vegetable exporters and producers say that there was a 14 to 20% increase in fruit and vegetable exports from Morocco to Russia thanks to the embargo in 2014-2015. Saad Silimani, the Secretary Genera for the association says that “there was a strong demand, especially for tomatoes, cucumber and slightly less for peppers. Cherry tomatoes are also increasing in demand. Russians imported from Southern Europe, then with the embargo, they tasted Moroccan cherry tomatoes and now the demand is for them”.
Moroccan professionals hope that the embargo will stay in place enabling them an even bigger market share for 2015-2016. Negations in Agadir have already begun with one professional saying “We saw Russians this week to talk and look at which date we would start the season, which products they would like to import, quantities…”
Whilst there are good opportunities for Morocco on the Russian market, the professionals are still faced with problems such as logistics, insurance and payment. “It is not easy to work with roubles, dollars and dirhams” explains Mr Silimani.
Until now only one weekly shipment was made between Agadir and Saint-Petersburg. In 2014 two extra shipments were in service to fulfil the strong Russian demand. According to APEFEL, the same arrangement will be carried out for the 2015-2016 season.