Bad weather, virus affects Moroccan citrus production
But perhaps worse still is the effect of Citrus Tristeza Virus, which is particularly harmful for citrus fruits grafted from bitter orange roots, which is the case for 95% of Moroccan citrus production. To stop the virus spreading the government has launched a strategy to help pay back producers for trees that have been infected and plant new ones.
According to Plan Maroc Vert, the country aims to produce 2.9 million tons of citrus and export 1.3 million tons by 2018.