According to a study published today in L'Economiste, Morocco already exports more strawberry than oranges, and they are now competing, in the European market, with Chile and Mexico, the leading suppliers of strawberries in winter and spring.
Last season (2015-2016), Morocco exported to the European Union 100,000 tons of strawberry, double the amount of oranges they exported, which was traditionally their most prolific fruit.
Three European countries, Spain, France and the United Kingdom, import 90% of the strawberries exported by Morocco. Morocco grows strawberries on 4,162 hectares located mainly in the region of Gharb, in the northwest of the country, with a significant input from offshore Spanish companies.
Strawberry is their star fruit, as it accounts for 85% of the hectares devoted to berries. However, blueberry and raspberry crops are growing at a steady pace which is commensurate with the growing global demand.
According to newspaper reports, the EU countries are the main consumers of strawberries but they must rely on external suppliers because the strawberries grown in Europe only reach the market at the beginning of June.
The geographical proximity of Morocco to Europe makes it cheaper and easier to export strawberries to the EU than those from Chile and Mexico. Moroccan producers are also looking to export their product to other demanding markets, such as Russia, Canada, and the USA - mainly frozen strawberries.
Source: EFE